Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Education and Youth has so far received reports of 107 schools across the island that have been damaged by Hurricane Dean, which battered the island on Sunday.

According to the Education Ministry, 56 of the affected schools are based in Region Six, which comprises St. Catherine and Clarendon. In Region One, which comprises schools in Kingston and St. Andrew, 37 schools have been damaged.

Four schools in Region Three and another four in Region Four were also damaged.

Senator Noel Monteith, State Minister in the Education Ministry, said he was yet to receive reports from Manchester, Clarendon and sections of St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas and St. Mary.

Roofs mostly affected

He noted that the damage on the schools range from moderate to severe, with the roofs mostly affected.

Senator Monteith told The Gleaner yesterday that teams have been dispatched to the six regions to conduct estimates of the damage, which should be available by Monday.

"Then we will discuss how we move from there," he noted.

Among the schools which were severely damaged are Munro College and Hampton High School in St. Elizabeth. These institutions were also damaged three years ago when Hurricane Ivan ravaged the island.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry has established an emergency information centre in order to receive updates on the status of schools, and to respond to public concerns regarding the school system.

Principals of public schools have been asked to provide reports on the state of their schools by calling the centre at 908-1793, 960-5967 or 968-2081.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com