63 schools rebuilt, 81 nearing completion, ministry reports

According to Jamaica Observer (General News), JUNIOR education minister Rhoda Moy Crawford says 63 priority-one schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa have been fully completed under the Government’s reconstruction programme, while another 81 are between 95 and 99 per cent complete. She disclosed the figures at the quarterly press conference called by the Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) at The University of the West Indies’ Regional Headquarters on Thursday. Crawford explained that the ministry is rebuilding schools to higher standards — including stronger roofs and improved ventilation — to reduce the risk of future storms causing similar damage. A total of 682 schools across Jamaica were affected by the October 28, 2025 Category 5 hurricane, according to ETOC Chairman Dr Adrian Stokes, with the institutions placed into three categories based on severity of damage. Priority-one schools were the most severely affec