Parents demand faster Hurricane Melissa repairs at Godfrey Stewart High

Parents gathered outside Godfrey Stewart High School in Savannah-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Thursday to press for quicker repairs to buildings damaged during Hurricane Melissa. They said students and teachers are still coping with leaking classrooms, reduced learning space and interruptions to the normal school day months after the storm.

The protest included chanting, placards and calls for government action. Parents said several rooms remain affected, with rain forcing children to use umbrellas indoors and causing some classes to be called off when space becomes too limited. One protester said the school had been in poor condition for more than seven months since the hurricane.

Parents argued that the situation is hurting the quality of education at the institution. They called on the relevant authorities in Westmoreland, the Ministry of Education and Prime Minister Andrew Holness to intervene and give the school community a clear schedule for completing the repair work.

They also claimed that rehabilitation work had not moved meaningfully since March, when persons were seen at the compound doing some digging and preparatory activity. According to the parents, the principal and vice-principals had sent several emails to the ministry, but action only appeared to increase after word spread that a demonstration would be held.

School officials acknowledged that the school has been facing serious challenges, while saying efforts are continuing to return the campus to full operation. An official said the education officer has been actively involved and that there has been regular dialogue with the Ministry of Education’s Region 4 office.

The official said the hope is for the process to move more quickly so students can attend school in greater comfort. Parents said they intend to keep pressing until they see substantial progress on the project, insisting that Godfrey Stewart High’s students should not have to wait any longer for proper learning conditions.