McKenzie wants evidence of improper sexual conduct by school shelter occupants

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie is calling for the head of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) to provide evidence supporting his allegation that students are being exposed to sexual acts by people in school shelters.

Speaking at yesterday’s first day of the JTA’s 2026 education conference in Hanover, JTA President Mark Malabver said the association has received reports of students and teachers being unable to use their classrooms where shelterees engage in unsavoury activities while occupying the buildings.

Those reports, he said, included shelterees engaging in sexual activities in full view of students, as well as teaching supplies going missing following their occupancy of schools, while students and teachers have to conduct their classes under tents.

In a media release on Wednesday, McKenzie said the matter was not brought to the attention of his ministry although it has been in written communication with the JTA regarding the almost 100 people who are sheltering in schools after their houses were affected by Hurricane Melissa last year.

"My Ministry has implemented a hands on approach in terms of receiving reports from stakeholders who monitor the shelters across the island and we have received no such report concerning sexual acts by people sheltering in schools in the presence of students and/or teachers. Therefore, it is only natural that we request that the JTA President assist the process by providing evidence to support the allegation."

McKenzie says the ministry is serious about ensuring that students are not exposed to acts of indecency and continues to work feverishly to ensure that Jamaicans dislocated by Hurricane Melissa find appropriate shelter as soon as possible.

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