‘Closer to nature’: Holness rejects criticism over children learning outdoors amid ongoing school repairs

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has pushed back against criticisms that schoolchildren, especially in western Jamaica, have started the new academic year in less-than-ideal circumstances, with some students attending classes outside under trees.

There has been rising public outrage over conditions in parishes such as St Elizabeth and Westmoreland, where severe storm damage remains unaddressed, including at several schools, nearly a year after the historic Category Five Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking on Tuesday at Jamaica House at the launch of the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC), Holness acknowledged that repair work remains ongoing at some schools.

JAMRROC is expected to provide independent oversight of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), the agency tasked with coordinating post-disaster reconstruction and advancing Jamaica's long-term resilience-building efforts.

Noting that some classes are being held outdoors due to the absence of classrooms, Holness posited that nature-based learning environments can be more supportive of education than traditional classrooms, citing the issue of heat.

“Granted, this morning [Tuesday], I was reading the newspapers where they highlighted children learning outside the classroom under trees. When I was going to school, that was my favourite time because the classrooms were so hot. You know, I'm not excusing the lack of resources in some schools, but the truth is that sometimes, you know, I've visited the classrooms a few times, granted I've visited them in my jacket and tie and so I may be a little bit hotter than those in the classroom, but classrooms are unbearably hot, many of them.”

He added: “And so, we should not look down on having our children learn closer to nature, in cooler environments, and in a setting that is more supportive of learning. Now, our responsibility is not to explain away failures and shortcomings. Our responsibility is to fix them, to remove the bottlenecks, and to accelerate delivery.”

He also argued that the present scenario provides opportunities.

“Again, we have used this as an opportunity to consolidate some schools, to rebuild others, not just to repair, but to rebuild. And that is going fairly well. I believe we have over 300 schools on our roster for repairs and we have advanced quite significantly, given all the challenges with procurement, contracting, weather, and all other challenges.”

Holness said the Government remains committed to ensuring the education of all students and providing them with the best opportunities.

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