The Ministry of Education has advised that schools may open for face-to-face classes today where conditions are safe as the country continues to experience the outer bands of Hurricane Ian.
School boards and principals have been told however to exercise caution in determining their operations.
A report from Region Two, which comprises St. Thomas, St. Mary, and Portland, indicates that, based on the adverse weather conditions which disrupted electricity, worsened road conditions and caused flooding in some areas, students should remain at home and participate remotely.
The Ministry says reports from Region Five, which is responsible for schools in St. Elizabeth and Manchester, do not indicate significant cause for concern.
School boards and principals are advised to make use of remote learning and conduct face-to-face classes where conditions allow.
School administrators have been told to use their communication channels to inform parents, students and staff of the operations of schools based on their local situation.
Flash Flood
The Flash Flood Warning for low low-lying and flood-prone areas of St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Clarendon, has been extended.
The Meteorological Service has upgraded the Flash Flood Watch to a Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Westmoreland.
These are in effect until 5 o'clock Tuesday morning.
Hurricane Ian is located 391 kilometres west-southwest of Negril Point, Jamaica and is expected to move north- northwest across the northwestern Caribbean on Monday.
Its outer bands have been producing adverse weather conditions across Jamaica since Saturday, and the forecast is for periods of moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms to continue across southern and northeastern parishes today through to tomorrow.
Periods of showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon, are expected for the remainder of the island during this period.
Additionally, due to the extended period of rainfall, and high ground saturation, landslides are likely.
