Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon has announced an extension of the rapid resumption grant initiative to include private early childhood and independent institutions. 

The rapid resumption grant was established last year to provide clean up assistance to public schools which were impacted by Hurricane Melissa. 

Speaking during today’s Senate meeting Dr. Morris-Dixon noted that upon analysis it was decided to also provide assistance to private early childhood and independent institutions. 

She outlined that following damage assessment it was realized that 318 early childhood institutions and 17 independent private schools suffered damage due to Melissa. 

She said this accounts for more than 24000 students and more than 2000 staff who were impacted. 

Dr Morris-Dixon explained that the government could not allow the early childhood institutions to operate in a substandard state. 

The education minister noted that grants will be provided on severity of impact and will range from $80,000 to $120,000 per institution. 

She also stated that additional funding can be made available to institutions should the need expand.