87 schools damaged by Hurricane Beryl fully repaired

The National Education Trust (NET) is reporting that repairs have been completed at 87 schools which were severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Beryl last July.

Repairs are at an advanced stage, ranging between 70 and 97 per cent, at 17 schools, while work is progressing at seven. An assessment of all institutions determined that 364 schools were impacted at a preliminary cost of more than $4 billion. Of that number, 111 schools were deemed severely damaged and were placed in Priority One, 138 were placed in Priority Two, and another 115 in Priority Three. Cabinet approved $2.5 billion for the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information to conduct emergency repairs.

Among the schools at which work is still in progress, repairs at Irons Mountain Primary School in St Ann, which include replacing the sheeting of the canteen, is 28 per cent complete. NET indicated that rainfall has slowed progress. At Mount Hannah Primary School in Hanover, repairs are at 15 per cent completion. NET said the contractor was unable to provide an update due to illness. The school requires roof replacement on a bathroom building and a main classroom building, as well as gutter realignment. Also in Hanover, a second contract was awarded at Merlene Ottey High, due to the extensive nature of the work required. Materials have been delivered to the site and repairs are at 16 per cent completion.

Repairs at Bull Savannah Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth are just over 50 per cent complete. Recent weather conditions have negatively affected the progress of work at Garvey Maceo High School in Clarendon, where repairs are 55 per cent complete. Just over $84 million has been allocated to replace a structure with a permanent building comprising one classroom, a sickbay, isolation room and bathroom at Halls Delight Primary in St Andrew. Works are at 50 per cent completion, with building A at five per cent and building B at 70 per cent. In relation to building B, the NET indicated that the contractor has not carried out work on site since September 2, 2024.

"A Notice to Correct was issued to the contractor on November 18, giving seven days to address the lack of performance in undertaking its obligations. A Notice to Terminate the Contract was sent to the contractor on November 29, 2024. Termination is to take effect 14 days after the date of the notice," the NET said, adding that the contractor received payment for Certificate One of $20,359,500, which included retention and levy. Regarding Happy Grove High School in Portland, the NET advised that repairs are 60 per cent complete.

The NET emphasised that the ministry focused on carrying out repairs to the Priority One institutions, given the effect it would have on the reopening of schools for the 2024/25 academic year. It will cost the Government an estimated $1.2 billion and $301 million to repair the schools in Priority Two and Three, respectively.