JTA demands timeline for hurricane victims to be fully relocated from schools

By Kimone Witter  

 

 

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) is demanding a clear, time-bound plan outlining the full relocation of the remaining hurricane shelterees from school compounds in Westmoreland and restoration of complete educational normalcy.

 

The JTA has declared that should these demands not be met in a timely manner, it reserves the right to pursue other options to ensure that the Ministry of Local Government and Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) take the concerns of educators, students, and parents seriously.

 

In a statement Sunday, President Mark Malabver said the JTA was escalating pressure on the ODPEM and the Ministry of Local Government as the prolonged occupancy of school facilities by shelterees has become untenable. 

 

"The Ministry of Local Government and by extension, ODPEM, have missed several deadlines with respect to, you know, relocating the shelterees or alternatively finding adequate housing for them. For us, you know, even though steps are being taken to mitigate, it does not eliminate the risk that are involved, particularly as it relates to primary schools. Yeah? All it takes is for one act of indiscretion and for something to happen and for a child to be harmed," he warned. 

 

Mr. Malabver stressed that the missed deadlines and ongoing delays have compounded uncertainty, frustration and dampened morale within school communities. 

 

The JTA president said the situation has significantly undermined learning recovery. 

 

"What we are asking for is for the Ministry of Local Government and by extension, ODPEM, to indicate exactly when it is that this matter will be addressed. We cannot continue to expose our teachers to this. We cannot continue to expose our children to this sort of our arrangement, and for us it is very untenable," he reiterated.