Online Classes and Counselling Support Launched as Questelles School Begins Fire Recovery

A photograph featuring the Minister of Education, Phillip Jackson. This image was obtained from the API.

By Val Matthias. Updated 4:26 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

In a show of resilience and rapid response, the Ministry of Education has announced the rollout of online classes and psychosocial support for students and staff of the Questelles Government School, following a fire that disrupted operations at the historic institution.

Speaking at a special Thanksgiving assembly held on January 5, 2026, Minister Phillip Jackson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring normal schooling as swiftly as possible. “We definitely had to have this assembly this morning to assure students, staff, and parents that the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is fully committed to restoring normal schooling,” he said.

While physical repairs are underway, students from Grades 5 and 6 will begin online classes immediately to minimize instructional loss. The school will temporarily relocate to premises in Camden Park starting next week, with work already in progress to ensure readiness.

Minister Jackson also confirmed that psychosocial support will be provided to help students and staff cope with the emotional impact of the fire.

“My senior staff has already decided that some of our counselors in the school system will be deployed to the school,” he stated.

Local pastors from surrounding villages, including Reverend Fraser, Pastor St. Jean, and Reverend Murray, have also pledged ongoing pastoral care.

The Minister praised the dedication of teachers who remained on site late into the night during the fire and called on the wider community to rally behind the school’s recovery. “This is your school. Let’s make this thing happen. Give of your best and together we win,” he urged.

Support has already poured in from several donors, including a cash donation of EC$10,000 from the Taiwanese Embassy, daily meals for 120 students from the Mustique Charitable Trust, and kitchen equipment from SOL St. Vincent Ltd. Additional pledges have been made by community groups and faith-based organizations.

Built 140 years ago, the Questelles Government School has consistently ranked well academically. The Minister emphasized that no student should be disadvantaged by the fire and invited corporate partners and hardware stores to contribute to the restoration effort.

As the new school term begins, the atmosphere at the assembly was described as joyful and hopeful, with students eager to reconnect with friends and resume learning. Minister Jackson closed with a message of unity: “Let them worry about just being students. We will worry about making sure all things are resolved properly.”

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