Police say the bomb threat reported on Thursday at several schools islandwide is believed to be a hoax.

Several schools dismissed classes early following the threat.

Students and staff were asked to evacuate the institutions, to ensure their safety.

In a release, the police urged persons to remain calm saying preliminary investigations indicate that the bomb threat was a hoax.

The police say they, along with other key stakeholders have launched an investigation into the reports.

The lawmen say they are working assiduously to locate the source of the document, and sought to reassure citizens that all resources will be used to restore normality, as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, President of the Jamaica Teachers Association, Leighton Johnson has condemned the act.

He said principals should not take any threat lightly.

He called on the country to rise up against the criminal masterminds, who he said will go to any extent to create fear in citizens.

Earlier today, Education Minister Fayval Williams also condemned the act, noting that the education of the nation’s children is not something to be trifled with.

She said threats of this kind must be taken seriously because of the negative ripple effects on the psychological well-being of all members of the school communities and the wider population.

She said school administrators reported receiving an email threat about explosive devices that led to the police high command being immediately alerted, prompting the deployment of teams from the bomb squad and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.