99.7% of schools open smoothly as Jamaica’s new academic year begins

Jamaica’s 2026/27 school year began with almost all schools open, despite continuing operational challenges. The Education, Skills, Youth and Information Ministry said preliminary data from the country’s seven educational regions showed that about 99.7% of roughly 1,000 schools opened on the first day.

Only three schools remained unable to open. The ministry specifically noted that every school in Region 4, covering Westmoreland, Hanover and St James, reopened. Those parishes were affected by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.

The ministry praised principals and educators for the start, calling it a sign of institutional resilience and strong school leadership. It said late furniture deliveries ranked among the most frequently reported problems. Schools and regional teams worked to accommodate students where possible, while the ministry promised to address outstanding deliveries and improve future arrangements.

Repairs and infrastructure work will continue at some schools while classes are in progress. The ministry said contractors and administrators must secure and separate work sites from teaching areas, and must not allow construction or repairs to create unsafe conditions or unnecessarily disrupt school operations. Regional teams will monitor schools in the coming days, including furniture concerns and other problems identified during the reopening.

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This is a testament to the resilience of our institutions and the strong leadership of our schools.