The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information announced the closure of schools for face-to-face classes on Tuesday, November 5, due to expected adverse weather conditions due to Tropical Storm Rafael.

The announcement was made on Monday evening by portfolio minister Senator Dr. It came via an audio feed from Dana Morris Dixon.

He said the decision was made following consultations with the Office of Disaster, Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Jamaica Meteorological Service.

“The safety of our students and educators is paramount. We urge all schools to utilize online platforms wherever possible so that learning can continue, even while prioritizing safety,” he said.

Dr Morris Dixon said the ministry was aware that not all children had internet access or devices, so schools were encouraged to provide workbook-appropriate tasks to those pupils who did not have access to the internet, computers or tablets. or “let’s minimize disruptions in our children’s development” according to their own calendars.

He added: “The government will continue to monitor weather conditions closely and provide further updates as necessary. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay informed through official announcements and take all necessary precautions for their families.”

On Monday, due to the expected adverse weather conditions, some schools had already decided to close and return to online classes or close classes early.

According to the National Weather Service (Office of Meteorology), the weather system is expected to cause heavy rains and gusty winds mostly in the southern and eastern neighborhoods starting Monday evening and continue for the next few days.

However, as the system passes over the country, rainfall is expected to occur throughout the island.