Education ministry diverting money to fund Sandy repairs

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites has indicated that the ministry is looking at programmes from which funds can be diverted for repairs after Sandy.

Thwaites conducted a tour of several schools across the Corporate Area yesterday.

During a stop at the Donald Quarrie High School in Harbour View, St Andrew, he informed that several schools were still being used as shelters and that there has been damage to a number of institutions.

The education minister said preliminary reports from across the island indicate that schools in the parishes of St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew were the worst affected.

He said the education ministry is looking at areas from which funds can be diverted to carry out repairs and remedial work so that those schools can reopen as soon as possible.

The education minister has also encouraged principals to get their schools in shape in the shortest possible time.

Schools in Kingston, St Andrew, Portland, St. Mary and St Thomas are closed today.

They are scheduled to reopen on Monday.

Classes have resumed at all other schools which are not being used as shelters.