UNESCO to provide learning kits and grants to support hurricane-hit students and teachers in Jamaica

UNESCO is to support Jamaica’s hurricane-battered education sector by helping with the provision of learning kits for students in grades 7-9, and targeted grants to 100 student-teachers at Sam Sharpe Teachers College in St James.

The assistance aims to ensure continuity of learning, particularly for students and student-teachers from the hardest-hit communities, a statement said. It will help with printing of the kits.

“UNESCO stands firmly with Jamaica as it rebuilds its education system after this devastating storm, and we will continue to support the country in restoring safe and resilient learning for every child,” said Eric Falt, Regional Director and Representative of UNESCO.

UNESCO has also launched the Women In Science Emergency (WISE) initiative in partnership with University of the West Indies, Mona, providing short-term financial support to 20 graduate-level women scientists to maintain research momentum.

Thee interventions are part of a broader Post-Disaster Needs Assessment requested by Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, aimed at producing a resilient, evidence-based recovery plan for schools, teachers, and learners.

UNESCO noted that the hurricane, which slammed Jamaica on October 28, affected over 1.6 million people, including nearly 280,000 children, destroying or damaging hundreds of schools and displacing thousands.

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, works to promote education, science, culture, and communication worldwide

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