assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impact

II. SOCIAL SECTORS
1. Education
Damage to the education sector (public institutions) was significant. Preliminary reports from
the Ministry of Education and Youth (MoEY) indicated that 518 primary and secondary schools
and the Ministry’s offices sustained damage estimated at $727.86 million. The damage was
mostly to roofs and structures. There was also damage to electrical equipment, sanitary facilities
and fences. Numerically, the schools in southern parishes accounted for the majority of the
damage with Kingston and St. Andrew (KSA) schools accounting for 14.7 per cent, St. Catherine
11.78, Manchester 11.20 percent, Clarendon 10.23 per cent, and St. Elizabeth 9.65 per cent (see
Figure 2.1). Since the hurricane occurred during the summer holidays, classes were not
disrupted. Despite the damage sustained and the fact that many schools were used as shelters,
most schools reopened on schedule for the beginning of the Christmas term.
Table 2.1: Damage to Primary and Secondary Schools
Parish
No. of
Schools
Total Estimated Cost
(Million)
KSA 76 113.18
St. Thomas 25 38.13
Portland 26 11.97
St. Mary 25 26.57
St. Ann 51 48.07
Trelawny 19 19.94
St. James 32 53.81
Hanover 21 10.65
Westmoreland 21 13.25
St. Elizabeth 50 136.49
Manchester 58 166.98
Clarendon 53 43.47
St. Catherine 61 35.36
Schools Equipment & MoEY
10.00
Offices
Total 518 727.86
Source: Ministry of Education and Youth
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