MEDIA Statement - JTA Declares Shelter Situation in Schools “Untenable” -            Demands Immediate, Time-Bound Relocation Plan
 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 com  pounds 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.

(Mark Malabver, president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association 2026)

“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.

CONTACT:
LEAON NASH,JP
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER,
COMMUNICATION & PR
JTA
97B CHURCH STREET, KINGSTON, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
TEL. : (876) 922-1385-7, CELL – 876 – 874 - 8162
Email: [email protected] or
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