Lewis Town Early Basic School restoration leads national Labour Day focus

Lewis Town Early Basic School was placed in the national spotlight for Labour Day after losing its roof when Hurricane Melissa passed Jamaica in 2025. Five members of the Jamaica Defence Force have been assisting with the recovery effort, and the roof has since been repaired.

Councillor Derek Sangster said the school also sustained damage inside the building, but that work had been completed. He noted that crews had moved on to repainting the institution so it could be made ready for use again.

Mrs. Patricia Scarlet Forester, who represented the Leader of the Opposition, called on Jamaicans to keep the spirit of service alive after Labour Day. She said the day was set aside for people to unite and complete important work, but urged volunteers not to tire of helping others, noting that many other schools still need support across the parish.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills and Information, Rodeo Crawford, said she was encouraged that an early childhood institution had been selected among the National Labour Day projects. She commended members of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force for taking part in restoration work, not only providing security.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Hoes said the observance was significant because it was the first Labour Day since the 2025 hurricane. He urged Jamaicans to use the period to assess risks around their homes and communities, prune trees, clear drains and culverts, check generators, and review emergency food supplies ahead of the hurricane season.

He also acknowledged that some public services remain unavailable in sections of the country as communities continue to recover. The Prime Minister said the Government is hearing complaints from residents who still face challenges, including closed tax offices and courts that now require longer travel, and is working to restore national agencies while tracking reports from communities, social media, formal media and written submissions.