Latest News
Herbert Morrison opens despite 18 classrooms, canteen out of service
September 07, 2026
Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay, St James, has opened for the September 2026 school term despite ongoing restoration work to repair damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Newly installed principal Lavern Stewart said the school's operations got off to a smooth start this morning, although about 18 classroom spaces are still undergoing repairs.
“We were here up until about 8:00 last night (Sunday, September 6), making sure that everything was ready for the students, and I think we are at a comfortable space this morning. We are anticipating that all our students will come out, plus we had our orientations last week, and we are ready,” Stewart said.
She said the school is still “a bit strapped” because some spaces cannot be used while restoration work continues.
“We are still a bit strapped because we are still not able to use all our spaces, based on the fact that it is still an active workspace (for restoration work). But we have enough space to facilitate our students, not as comfortable as we would want, but enough for us to have school,” Stewart added.
Herbert Morrison Technical High was among several schools in western Jamaica that suffered catastrophic infrastructural damage when Category 5 Hurricane Melissa hit the island on October 28, 2025.
In addition to the 18 classroom spaces being renovated, the school's canteen and tuck-shop remain out of service.
Education Minister Dr Dana Morris-Dixon had previously announced that all schools in western Jamaica were expected to reopen this morning for the start of the new school term, despite concerns from some school administrators that hurricane-damaged facilities would not be restored in time.
At Herbert Morrison, however, Stewart said the school was ready to welcome its students, even as restoration work continues.
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 @ 876-550-2506.
