$31m to be disbursed as Gov’t extends hurricane support for private schools - Morris Dixon

Approximately $31 million will be disbursed in the first tranche of extended post–Hurricane Melissa recovery grants for privately operated early childhood institutions and independent schools, Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon says.

“The grants allocated will be used to support urgent restoration activities and ensure the safe and timely resumption of services at the early childhood level and the independent schools," Morris Dixon told the Senate on Friday. She was presenting an update on recovery efforts since Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025. 

She said by January 14, all schools resumed teaching and learning. "Within 90 days of the most devastating weather event in recent memory, a 'one in 100 years' storm, all schools resumed operations."

The minister said the hurricane caused widespread damage across the education sector, with non-public institutions among those significantly affected.

Damage assessments were carried out at privately operated early childhood institutions and independent schools, revealing “a wide variation in estimated damage costs, ranging from minor clean-up needs to severe structural damage," Morris Dixon said. 

She shared that the Early Childhood Commission's preliminary assessments showed that 335 non-public institutions were impacted - 318 ECIs and 17 independent or private schools. Of that number, 122 were classified as severely damaged, 115 moderately damaged and 81 sustaining mild damage.

“Let me put that in terms of people,” Morris Dixon told senators. “Let me put that in terms of people. 24,143 children and 2,313 staff members enrolled or employed in ECIs have been impacted.”

She stressed that the condition of early childhood institutions cannot be ignored, citing the importance of the sector to child development.

“We cannot allow our early childhood institutions to operate in a substandard state,” the minister said. “Neuroscience and developmental studies are clear: the early years are when the brain is most adaptable. Our institutions are therefore an important pillar of that early development during these critical years.”

According to the minister, a rapid analysis of the data showed that while some ECIs and independent schools sustained major structural damage requiring capital intervention, the majority experienced minor to moderate damage.  She explained that moderate damage included flooding, debris accumulation, sanitation challenges, roof leaks and damage to learning materials.

“These conditions require immediate cleanup and minor remedial works to restore safe learning environments for young children,” she said.

Against that background, Morris Dixon announced the extension of the Rapid Resumption Grant programme to cover ECIs and independent schools that have already reported damage to the Early Childhood Commission.

She outlined that the cleanup grants will be tiered according to the severity of impact, with institutions classified as severe or Priority One eligible for up to $120,000; those with moderate or Priority Two damage eligible for $100,000, and mildly affected or Priority Three institutions eligible for $80,000.

Based on the preliminary assessments, the minister said the Government expects to disburse approximately $31 million in grants in the first tranche.

“Additional funding can be made available to ECIs should the need expand,” she added, noting that the grants are in addition to credit facilities being offered through the Development Bank of Jamaica.

Meanwhile, in providing wider context, Morris Dixon said the education system, particularly in western Jamaica, was "hard hit". She told the Senate that 447 schools across Westmoreland, Hanover, St James, Trelawny, St Ann, St Elizabeth and Manchester were severely affected.

“Approximately eight thousand teachers and over one hundred and fifty-two thousand students faced unprecedented operational disruption,” she said. “There was, therefore, quite understandably, widespread anxiety across the system," the minister said. 

Morris Dixon said in addition to the provision of physical resources, some $616 million was made available to public schools through the Rapid Resumption Grant.

She said the grant facility continues to provide upfront clean-up support ranging from $300,000 to $1,000,000 based on the severity of impact. The minister explained that funding has been used for debris removal and sanitation, and restoration of utilities and other essential amenities. 

The minister acknowledged support from partners, including UNICEF and the World Food Programme. 

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