All schools now reopened following Hurricane Melissa, PEP exams adjusted

All schools have been reopened following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, with most resuming face-to-face instruction, while others are operating on rotational or reduced schedules.

At the same time, the Education Ministry has announced adjustments to the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Examinations and the standard curriculum for grades 1-9.

Speaking at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry, Terry-Ann Thomas Gayle, said the Ministry's reopening policy for Jamaica’s 1,010 schools focused on safety, flexible operational modalities, priority face-to-face teaching for examination cohorts and equity.

She noted that the majority of schools in the seven most affected parishes are operating face-to-face classes.

In region three, which covers St Ann and Trelawny, 109 of 123 schools are operating full face-to-face class, while 14 are using rotational scheduling.

In region four, which comprises the parishes of Hanover, St James, and Westmoreland, 127 of the 164 schools are operating full face-to-face, while 37 are using rotational schedules.

And in region 5, which constitutes the parishes of Manchester and St Elizabeth, 135 of the 162 schools are giving full face-to-face instructions; seven are using a rotational schedule; 19 are using a reduced schedule; and one school - Ginger Hill Primary School in St Elizabeth - is currently using remote engagement.

“Our schools have really demonstrated the resilience that we have developed within the Ministry,” she said.

Thomas Gayle noted adjustments were made to PEP after extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Students at the grade six level will do ability tests, 40 multiple-choice questions for the Mathematics curriculum-based test, and 60 multiple-choice questions in the Language Arts curriculum-based test.

At the grade five level, students will do the Mathematics and Language Arts performance task, which will comprise four to six open-ended questions each.

Students at the grade 4 level will do the literacy and numeracy test, comprising 30 multiple-choice questions.

Students sitting grade six PEP will do so on April 29 and 30, grade five students will do their exam on June 10, while grade four students will sit their exam on June 24.

Thomas Gayle noted that the placement mechanism for PEP students will remain the same.

In the meantime, she noted that the standard curriculum for grades 1-9 has been modified to focus on the most essential objectives.

This information has been communicated to schools, she said.

“I want to reassure the public that condensing to a smaller number of objectives, the students will not be at a loss. We look at those objectives that we usually call the general objectives - that means that these must be done in order for us to speak to the achievement of skills and competency,” she said.

Thomas Gayle further disclosed that the Grade Nine Achievement Test has been suspended for this year, and that a different placement mechanism will be used to matriculate the approximately 50 students utilising this method.

She also highlighted measures taken by the Caribbean Examination Council for students in the parishes mostly affected by the hurricane.

Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination candidates sitting exams in May–June 2026 may be allowed to use a modified assessment option, relying mainly on Paper 1 and school-based assessments (SBAs), in an effort to protect fairness while showing compassion.

The council has also offered added flexibility through extended SBA deadlines, waived late registration fees, and options for refunds or deferrals for students who may not feel ready to sit the exams this year.

She said the City and Guilds examinations will remain the same, however, there are alternatives for schools if needed.

The National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training will also remain the same, with sitting to take place in February and June.

-Sashana Small

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