JTA President Faces Backlash Over Unsubstantiated Allegations in school shelters. KINGSTON, Jamaica — Young Jamaica has criticized Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President Mark Malabver. He alleges that inappropriate sexual activity occurred in school shelters while students were present.
In addition, Young Jamaica said the JTA President failed to provide evidence to support his allegations
In a statement, Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), expressed their disappointment with Malabver. Malabver is a former caretaker for the People’s National Party (PNP) in St. Thomas Western. He reportedly did not produce any evidence to the Ministry of Education after being asked to substantiate his claims.
They cited information from the Ministry of Education which indicated that Malbver had provided no evidenc. And pointed out that the issue was not raised during recent discussions between the union and government officials.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2026, Malabver dropped the bombshell while addressing the JTA Education Conference 2026, in Green Island Hanover.
“The conditions are deeply troubling. Reports of shelterees engaging in sexual activity within the clear view of students is something that everyone should be outraged about,” he said.
“Students have reported that they have seen that kind of activity taking place, and that is a point of concern for us,” stated Malabver.
The JTA President argued that the continued use of schools as shelters is untenable. He emphasized the gravity of the situation by highlighting JTA members’ reports of teachers’ resources going missing. Plus, reports of schools being transformed into spaces resembling a tenement yard instead of institutions of learning.
However, he was unable to say if such incidents are still taking place and whether anyone alerted the police.
Young Jamaica cautioned against what it characterized as sensational claims. It asserted that such assertions have the potential to erode public confidence and divert attention from other critical national matters.