KINGSTON, Jamaica – Education Minister Fayval Williams says that starting Monday, the Ministry will start rebuilding activities for schools severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl.
Speaking Friday at a press conference on the ministry’s Beryl disaster plan,Williams said the damage stands at J$2.7 billion.
She says the number of schools damaged by the weather system has climbed from 212 to 309, and is expected to rise further. Work will begin for schools categorised as priority one, two and three.
“Priority one would be those schools that have been severely damaged, that we have to begin the restoration in order to have them in a place where they can be safely opened come September 2nd. We have 85 of those schools,” the minister revealed, noting that the estimated damage to these institutions is $1.42 billion.
Priority two schools have also suffered damage but will be able to operate while work is underway. There are 110 such schools.
The minister said 114 schools fall in the third category of those that suffered minor damage but can operate while the repair work is being done.
The technical team from the ministry has identified contractors to begin reconstruction work on priority one schools.
She added that the team is continuing its assessment to finalise procurement documents for registered contractors to carry out repairs and construction.
She said emergency funds have been disbursed across all regions for clean up exercises and other critical activities.
Concerning the state of residential child care facilities post Hurricane Beryl, the Education minister said assessments were carried out by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA).
She added that children in state care were safe during and after the hurricane.
