Letter of the Day | Remote learning is not a storm-ready solution for education continuity
Published:Sunday | October 26, 2025 | 12:10 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Am I the only one concerned that the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI) has closed schools and mandated remote learning as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches?
As an education sector, have we learned nothing from the COVID-19 pandemic which exposed deep inequalities in access to reliable Internet and digital devices? Has any recent or ongoing training been provided to teachers and students to enable effective online teaching and learning? Or is it the assumption that “this generation” should simply be tech savvy? The ministry is well aware of the digital divide and the uneven resources available across schools. Given these realities, why not employ more inclusive emergency education strategies?
We all know that platforms like MS Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, and Google Classroom have become popular tools. Yet, are they fit for purpose during a tropical storm or potential hurricane? Can they be used when the Jamaica Public Service Company shuts off electricity to protect infrastructure? What happens when devices lose power? How do we engage students then? Or is “education continuity” in emergencies simply a well-meaning phrase used by the ministry to create the illusion to parents and caregivers that learning continues uninterrupted?
As an educator, I believe Jamaica must turn to more practical, inclusive solutions. One such option is the use of printed workbooks, resources that every school can produce and distribute ahead of forecasted storms. This would allow students to remain engaged in learning even when Internet and power are unavailable. It is a simple, realistic, and equitable strategy that the MOESYI could coordinate nationally.
I commend the Minister of Education, Dana Morris Dixon, and her ministry for their swift action to protect students and staff amid the threat of Tropical Storm Melissa. However, the ministry should go further towards creating resilient and context-appropriate solutions that truly ensure education continuity for all learners.
As technology advances, we must resist the urge to adopt every new tool or trend without critical thought. Artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is being explored in education systems in the UK and US, but even these countries are still evaluating its benefits and risks. Jamaica should not be a passive adopter of global trends, but rather a thoughtful innovator in designing systems that serve the country’s unique context.
DELTA WRIGHT
PhD researcher
Edge Hill University