Rough start

Grade two students at Holland Primary School seated during their outdoor class under a bamboo structure on Monday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior) September 8, 2026 Contrasting reports as new school year opens THE education ministry on Monday reported a generally smooth reopening of schools across the island for the start of the 2026/27 academic year but principals, mostly in hurricane-ravaged western Jamaica, highlighted a raft of difficulties. Among the complaints were incomplete repairs as well as classes held in heat-trapping tents that turn into sweltering ovens under the tropical sun. “Based on preliminary data received from all seven educational regions covering approximately 1,000 schools, only three schools did not open today, meaning that approximately 99.7 per cent of the schools captured in the data were able to open on the first day of the new school year,” the ministry said in a news release. While the ministry said late furniture delivery was among the most frequently reported challenges on Monday, Jamaica Observer journalists received first-hand reports of the rough start to the academic year in the sections of the island that suffered the brunt of Hurricane Melissa’s fury last October. Stories on Pages 3 to 10. KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) has ordered Rubis tanker drivers who have taken industrial action to return to work on Tuesd... ST JAMES, Jamaica —The S Hotel Foundation is pumping J$1.5 million into back-to-school grants for children of tourism workers still off the job follow... KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information says the first day of the 2026/27 school year was generally smooth across ... Entertainment, Latest News KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival (JFDF) is taking Kuyah beyond Jamaica for the first time, bringing four chefs and a taste of the... International News, Latest News PARIS, France (AFP) — More than 2.7 billion people, including children, have been exposed to second-hand smoke globally, contributing to nearly 1.7 mi... Latest News, Lifestyle, News Ian Fleming and the Curse of James Bond , directed by Adam Low, a new feature documentary exploring the life, imagination and enduring legacy of James... GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Three people, including the captain of the ill-fated MV Barima that sank on July 18, killing more than 100 people, appeare... KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Gender, Elderly and Persons with Disabilities, Denise Daley, is calling for an urgent assessment of the... Facebook Twitter Instagram Polls Recent Posts Archives