Private schools across the country are already putting contingency plans in plans place to switch to remote learning if the drought worsens.

The school are represented by Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association, JISA, which has almost 200 members.

JISA president Tamar McKenzie was a guest on Nationwide This Morning on Friday.

According to the Met Service, rainfall is expected to significantly decline between August and October in Manchester, Clarendon and St. Catherine. A drought watch is also forecasted for St. Thomas and Portland.

The outlook for August 16 to September 20 this year is particularly troubling. The Met Service says there’s expected to be below-normal rainfall, up to 80 per cent this week across the island.

Temperatures are also expected to be above normal islandwide, ranging up to 90 per cent.

Water minister, Matthew Samuda, has warned that the prolonged dry conditions could last until May next year.

McKenzie says maintenance teams have been responding in an effort to have schools ready with adequate water supply for September.

Meanwhile, Ms McKenzie says many schools affected by Hurricane Melissa have reported over 60 per cent completion of building repairs.

She also says several schools have been pooling resources to replace furniture damaged by the storm.

Tamar McKenzie, JISA president.