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Another 34 will be done by year end.

The update was given by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Kasan Troupe, at the post Cabinet press briefing today.

She noted that work was done on over 50 schools, making them ready for the start of the new academic year on Monday.

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) suspects it to be a case of arson and has reported the matter to the St Ann police.

The fire which is now under control reportedly started on Monday afternoon.

According to the NSWMA preliminary observations have raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.

The Authority says fire was observed at approximately four separate locations within the facility, with notable intervals between the outbreaks.

These circumstances, the Authority said, have led it to suspect that the fire was deliberately set.

The blaze is now extinguished through assistance from the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Executive Director of the NSWMA Audley Gordon says efforts continue to get the smoke under control.

He says the circumstances observed are highly concerning and raise the possibility of deliberate ignition.

The Authority is awaiting the investigation reports from the fire brigade and the constabulary.

The NSWMA is also reminding members of the public that disposal facilities are critical components of Jamaica’s waste management infrastructure and that any deliberate act that threatens these facilities can have serious consequences for public health, the environment, workers and surrounding communities.

The Authority is appealing to anyone with information that may assist in determining how the fire started to contact the relevant authorities.

The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been plunged into mourning, following the passing of former Member of Parliament for Western St. Mary, Hyacinth Knight.

Mrs. Knight died at the Andrews Memorial Hospital in St. Andrew this morning after battling an illness.

She was 86 years old.

JLP Chairman and current MP for St. Mary Western, Robert Montague lauded Mrs. Knight’s contribution to St. Mary and the country.

“We will get to the bottom of it, and we will take the necessary actions.”

That is the commitment from Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris, as she addressed an incident involving a student at a Kingston-based primary school on Monday.

It is alleged that the child soiled herself in the classroom after a teacher repeatedly denied her permission to use the restroom.

The incident has sparked public outrage, with calls for the Minister to intervene.

Speaking during a post-Cabinet press briefing this morning, Dr. Morris Dixon said an investigation has been launched into the matter.

She also noted that the Ministry will be providing psychosocial support for the child.

Dr. Morris Dixon said after speaking with the school principal, she was assured that the students’ well-being are at the centre of the institution’s policies.

His comments come days after Finance Minister Fayval Williams indicated that the Government is contemplating reimposing the cap as recommended by the Independent Fiscal Commission and urged trade unions to consider the matter.

The wage bill cap, which serves as an indication of the Government’s budget, especially during negotiations with unions, was lifted in April 2023.

Senator Hill stressed that Jamaica does not want to return to the IMF, emphasising that the IMF option is not sustainable.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says the Government is committed to improving the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and the National Rural School Bus programme.

The JUTC deployed 250 regular buses, while 99 rural school buses were rolled out on Monday for the start of the new academic year.

Mr. Vaz said his team is preparing for the second phase of the rural school bus programme.

About 40 families were affected by the demolition of houses in the area last month.

In a statement, the Ministry said that following assessments and engagement with families at the location, school supplies were provided to children who remained on site.

The Ministry explained that since its initial intervention, several families have relocated from Cooper’s Pen, resulting in some children no longer being present when teams returned to the location.

Portfolio Minister Pearnel Charles jr said that additional school supplies have been placed at the Ministry’s parish offices to facilitate direct interventions for children who may have been missed during the on-site distribution.

The Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC) has been charged with providing real-time, direct and independent accountability of post-Hurricane Melissa national reconstruction efforts.

JAMRROC will provide oversight of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA).

The seven-member committee draws its membership from the Government, the parliamentary Opposition, the private sector, the trade union movement, academia and western Jamaica.

Speaking at the launch ceremony yesterday, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness said  JAMRROC will publish quarterly public reports and operate an online platform, through which Jamaicans can access information on the reconstruction portfolio.

Dr. Holness emphasised that speed without accountability is unacceptable.

He also dismissed claims that JAMRROC was created because NARRA falls outside the public accountability framework.

He said that JAMRROC adds independent, public-facing scrutiny.

The relocation of residents from the hurricane-ravaged Parottee community in St. Elizabeth will be executed as a priority project.

The process is being undertaken by the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA).

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness issued directives for the process to be done with dignity and respect.

The update comes amid reports that some residents of Parottee have refused to move from the area, despite the community being classified as vulnerable and susceptible to damage from severe weather events.

The area sustained significant damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year.

The NaRRA has been holding consultations with affected residents on the matter of relocation.

Dr. Holness acknowledged the concerns of residents about not wanting to leave the land they have lived on for years.

He stressed that rebuilding includes relocation.

Dr. Holness said Hurricane Melissa has presented an opportunity for the Government to act.

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), La Sonja Harrison, has again raised concerns about the use of tents at the schools which were damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking on the second day of her tour of schools as the new academic year gets underway, Mrs. Harrison reiterated that the tents are extremely hot and should not house the students.

While noting that some schools are no longer using tents due to temporary structures being constructed, she said there is no work taking place at the Cokesview Primary School, which is in need of repairs.

She criticised the Government for not moving with alacrity to erect temporary structures before the start of the new academic year.