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| Mark Malabver - JTA President |
The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is
escalating pressure on the Office of Disaster
Preparedness and Emergency
Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Local Government regarding the continued
housing of shelterees on school compounds across several institutions affected
by Hurricane Melissa.
While acknowledging the efforts
of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI)—including enhanced safety protocols and ongoing monitoring — the JTA maintains
that the prolonged occupancy of school facilities by shelterees has become
untenable.
“We recognise the steps taken by the
Ministry of Education and the regional teams to support affected schools,” said
JTA President Mark Malabver. “However, mitigation measures cannot substitute
for full restoration of our schools to their primary purpose—teaching and
learning.”
Continued Shelter Occupancy Is Unsustainable
Currently, multiple schools
remain in operation while continuing to accommodate shelterees. Although
separation protocols and enhanced supervision measures are in place, the
Association maintains that schools were never intended to function as long-term
emergency shelters.
“The situation was understandable in the
immediate aftermath of the hurricane,” the JTA president said. “It cannot
become a prolonged or indefinite arrangement. The continued housing of
shelterees on school compounds raises legitimate safety concerns and undermines
public confidence in our institutions.”
The JTA has also expressed concern about repeated missed
deadlines by the Ministry of Local Government regarding relocation efforts.
While the Ministry of Education continues to work with ODPEM, the ongoing
delays have compounded uncertainty, frustration and dampened morale within
school communities. Furthermore, it significantly undermines learning recovery
within these schools.
JTA Signals Further Action if Delays Continue
The Jamaica Teachers’ Association
has now become increasingly strident on this matter and is publicly calling
upon ODPEM and the Ministry of Local Government to treat the relocation of
shelterees with the urgency and seriousness it demands.
The Association is demanding a
clear, time-bound plan outlining the full relocation of remaining shelterees
and restoration of complete educational normalcy.
Should these demands not be met
in a timely manner, the JTA reserves the right to pursue other options to
ensure that the Ministry of Local Government and ODPEM take the concerns of
educators, students, and parents seriously.
“Our teachers deserve safe and stable
working conditions. Our students deserve fully restored learning environments,”
Mr. Malabver asserted. “We will not allow bureaucratic delay to compromise
safety or erode the integrity of our schools.”
The JTA remains committed to partnership and dialogue, but
stresses that decisive action is now imperative.
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