A total of 682 schools across Jamaica were damaged by Hurricane Melissa; 308 were considered severely damaged.
By Kimone Witter
The Hurricane Melissa School Infrastructure Recovery and Resilience Oversight Committee says the repair of 144 of the 308 schools that were severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa has either been completed or is near completion.
This was as at September 30.
In a press release, the Oversight Committee said based on current projections, another 66 severely damaged schools are targeted to reach practical completion by December this year.
The group said the recovery programme presents an opportunity to deliver better learning environments, stronger construction standards and resilient schools that can withstand future severe weather events.
The Committee said it has, so far, visited eight schools in Westmoreland - Darliston Primary School, Maud McLeod High School, Cokes View Primary School, Ferris Primary School, Belmont Academy, Unity Primary School, St. John's Infant School and Enfield Primary and Infant.
During those visits, members engaged school administrators, teachers and contractors, observed construction progress and gained first-hand insights into the conditions under which teaching and learning are continuing.
The Committee shared that, based on internal reviews and school visits, the scale and complexity of the repair programme are significant.
It said works range from minor repairs and waterproofing to roof repairs, extensive rehabilitation and, in some cases, substantial reconstruction.
The Committee advised that key areas requiring continued attention include the availability of construction materials, procurement and approval processes, contractor capacity, payment certification and the coordination of works across multiple sites.
The Hurricane Melissa School Infrastructure Recovery and Resilience Oversight Committee was established in September for an initial one-year period.
Its mandate is to provide an additional layer of accountability in the rehabilitation and repair of schools affected by the hurricane.
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