Build resilient schools to build resilient students

Every day, thousands of students across Jamaica walk into classrooms ready to learn. What many of them may not realise is how much their learning experience is influenced by things they rarely notice: the quality of the air they breathe, the comfort of their classrooms, the reliability of their school’s power and water systems, and the building’s ability to remain functional during extreme weather events.

The condition of a school facility can have a direct impact on student comfort, concentration, attendance and overall learning outcomes. A classroom that is too hot, poorly ventilated, excessively noisy or vulnerable to service disruptions creates obstacles that no textbook, digital device or teaching method can fully overcome.

For Charles ‘Chas’ Johnson, senior vice-president at Loring Consulting Engineers, that reality has shaped more than three decades of work designing educational facilities. With 36 years of experience and a career dedicated to supporting K-12 schools, colleges and universities, Johnson believes that resilient schools play an important role in helping students develop the resilience needed to succeed themselves.

“We often think about education in terms of curriculum and technology, but the physical environment matters too. Students learn best when they are in spaces that are comfortable, reliable and designed with their well-being in mind,” says Johnson.

That idea sits at the heart of educational facility design. Schools do more than house students. They shape daily experiences, influence learning outcomes and, in many communities, serve as important centres of activity and support.

This conversation is becoming increasingly important. Educational facilities must operate amid high temperatures, intense rainfall, hurricane threats, rising utility costs and ageing infrastructure. As climate-related challenges become more frequent, schools are being asked to do more than support learning. They must also remain safe, dependable and adaptable in the face of disruption.

ENSURING CONTINUITY

For Johnson, resilience is not simply about helping a building withstand a storm. It is about ensuring continuity. A resilient school is one that continues to support students when conditions become challenging. It maintains access to critical services, minimises interruptions to learning, and provides a sense of stability when students and communities need it most.

This is where mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering plays a critical role. While students may never see these systems, they influence nearly every aspect of the learning environment. Ventilation systems help maintain healthy indoor air quality. Electrical systems provide reliable lighting, power and connectivity. Plumbing systems ensure access to clean water and sanitation. Together, these systems support the health, comfort and well-being of students and teachers alike.

Acoustics also deserve greater attention. Excessive noise from busy roadways, nearby activity or poorly designed mechanical systems can affect a student’s ability to hear, concentrate and participate in class. Likewise, classrooms that are excessively hot, humid or poorly ventilated can contribute to discomfort, fatigue and reduced attention spans throughout the school day.

In Jamaica’s tropical climate, many solutions do not necessarily require expensive air-conditioning systems or major reconstruction projects. Thoughtful design strategies that work with the natural environment can often deliver meaningful improvements. Building orientation, natural ventilation, daylighting, exterior shading devices, roof overhangs and covered walkways can help improve comfort while reducing energy consumption. Features such as adjustable louvred windows, reflective roofing materials and energy-efficient lighting can further enhance building performance while lowering operating costs.

Resilience also extends beyond the classroom. Reliable access to clean water supports student health and hygiene. Adequate sanitation facilities help create safe and dignified learning environments. Emergency power systems can maintain lighting, Internet connectivity, and essential services during outages. Effective drainage systems can help reduce flooding risks during periods of intense rainfall, while protecting electrical and communications infrastructure can help schools recover more quickly following severe weather events.

Importantly, building resilience does not always require constructing entirely new schools. Many existing facilities can benefit from targeted improvements, including ventilation upgrades, better airflow management, energy-efficient lighting, improved drainage, standby power systems, and measures to reduce heat gain. These investments can help improve both building performance and the daily experience of students and teachers.

BEYOND EDUCATION

Many schools also serve purposes beyond education. During hurricanes and other emergencies, they often function as shelters and community hubs. Designing educational facilities with resilient power systems, reliable water supplies and protected infrastructure can therefore strengthen not only educational continuity but community resilience as well.

Drawing on decades of experience in educational facilities, Johnson has seen how building performance directly affects the people who occupy those spaces. Whether designing a primary school, university classroom, student centre, laboratory or library, the underlying objective remains the same: creating environments that support learning, well-being and long-term success.

Ultimately, Johnson believes the conversation about educational achievement should include greater consideration of the spaces where learning takes place every day. Investments in resilient school infrastructure are investments in educational outcomes. The fresh air moving through a classroom, the natural light entering a learning space, the reliable power supporting digital tools and the clean water flowing through a school are all easy to take for granted. Yet, together, they create the conditions students need to focus, participate and perform at their best.

As Jamaica continues to invest in its future, ensuring that school facilities are healthy, efficient and resilient may prove just as important as what is being taught within them. Because while resilient buildings matter, their greatest value lies in the opportunities they create for the students and communities they serve.