Students in hurricane-hit areas to benefit from JPS exam prep

Some 1,000 students in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth are to benefit from a targeted education-recovery effort led by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), as rebuilding continues after Hurricane Melissa.

The programme, delivered with the Ministry of Education and regional officers, will support pupils preparing for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). It will offer “energy exam marathons” and structured extra lessons across participating schools.

JPS president and chief executive, Hugh Grant, announced the initiative during the commissioning of the company’s emergency mobile power unit in Bethel Town.

“What we have learned over the past few months is that recovery is ultimately about people,” he said. “It is about the mother managing her household while rebuilding. The farmer working to restore productivity. The shop owner trying to reopen. It is about the student trying to study for exams after months of disruption. As a country, we cannot allow that disruption to define our children’s future.”

Over three weeks, pupils will receive focused instruction in all PEP subject areas. Secondary students will receive help in mathematics, English language and one additional subject selected by their schools, ensuring the support matches actual need. Recognising that recovery is both academic and emotional, the programme also includes psychosocial support to help children regain confidence after months of upheaval. The aim is to close learning gaps, strengthen exam readiness and ease pressure on families while restoring a sense of stability in recovering communities.

To maximise its impact, JPS is partnering with several organisations, including the National Education Trust, Wisynco Group Limited, Jamaica Broilers Group, Food For the Poor Jamaica, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Digicel Foundation.

“JPS has always had an active presence in communities across the island, and this time is no different,” said Marilyn McDonald, the company’s manager for community renewal. “The last couple of months have really demonstrated the power of support, and what it means when we rally around each other for the greater good. We will continue to do that until every customer is restored.”

The company describes the initiative as another layer of community-renewal support, complementing its work to rebuild the electricity network and restore supply–part of what it says is an ongoing commitment to customers, communities and families during the recovery effort.