Most schools reopen despite water disruptions across the country 

By Admin. Updated 6:19 a.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Most schools across St Vincent and the Grenadines will resume normal, face-to-face classes on Wednesday, October 7, despite ongoing disruptions to the island’s pipe-borne water supply following this week’s severe weather.

The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information announced on Tuesday that the overwhelming majority of schools sustained no significant infrastructural damage and are ready to welcome students and teachers back.

However, 15 schools will remain closed, primarily because the continued lack of a reliable water supply makes it unsafe to resume operations.

The ministry said the active water situation remains the main obstacle to reopening those institutions, where adequate water is needed to maintain sanitation and protect the health and safety of students and staff.

The schools that will remain closed on Wednesday are Belair Government School, Belmont Government School, Brighton Methodist School, Calder Government School, Cane End Government School, Dorsetshire Hill Government School, Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia, Evesham Methodist School, Gomea Methodist School, Marriaqua Government School, New Prospect Primary School, St Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua and West St George Secondary School.

In addition, Buccament Bay Secondary School will remain closed as it continues to serve as an emergency shelter, while South Rivers Methodist School has been unable to reopen because of infrastructural damage.

The announcement comes as many communities across the country continue to experience interruptions to their pipe-borne water supply in the aftermath of heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides earlier this week.

Despite those challenges, education officials determined that most schools are in a position to resume classes, signalling a return to normalcy for thousands of students while recovery efforts continue in the worst-affected communities.

The ministry said it will continue to monitor conditions at the affected schools, with reopening dependent on the restoration of reliable water service and, where necessary, the completion of repairs.

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