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The total deaths from Hurricane Melissa now stand at 32 but are expected to rise. Minister of Information Senator Dana Morris Dixon said at a press briefing today that there are another eight deaths, but they are waiting on the police to confirm. "The figure will change and I will give another figure tomorrow," she said. Senator Morris-Dixon did not give a breakdown of the deaths in the various parishes. Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica just under a week ago with winds of 175 miles per hour. The hurricane left wide areas of the island devastated. Speaking about schools reopening, Senator Morris Dixon, who is also Minister of Education, said that the decision to reopen schools has been decentralized and left to principals and school boards. She said that they want to get children back into schools as quickly as possible to prevent learning losses as happened during COVID. The Minister said that she has spoken with Opposition Spokesman on Education Damian Crawford about what the reopening of schools will look like. The Minister also said that discussions will be held with various stakeholders tomorrow. A committee, she said, has been established within the ministry on this issue. She also said that there are teams available to provide psychosocial support to teachers, parents, and students. Minister Morris Dixon said that she has toured several schools affected by the hurricane and commended teachers and other school employees who are working to repair damages to the schools. The Minister stressed that this is not a time for politics. "There are so many people feeling the pain of Hurricane Melissa. I see Jamaicans across the country doing what they do," she said. - Lester Hinds We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-250
