NEPA-Media Release-Schools environmental clubs boosted

 

Attention: All News Editors                                                               KINGSTON, Jamaica

(02 April 2025):

 

Kingston Schools receive a boost from NEPA’s Environmental Club Programme

 

In its on-going effort to inspire young Jamaicans to become champions for the environment, the National Environment & Planning Agency recently staged a workshop to establish and strengthen its National School Environmental Club Programme (NSECP) in schools.

 

Five Kingston high schools participated in the event which involved various presentations on environmental matters, tips on how to run a successful environmental club and the handing over of resources to support their activities. The workshop also included an outdoor excursion for a first-hand look at the damage caused by poor environmental practices.

 

The schools that benefited were Alpha Institute, Kingsway High School, Wolmer’s High School for Boys, Young Women’ Christian Association and Gaynstead High School. An annual event on the NEPA calendar, the NSECP workshop is designed to initiate, resuscitate, and strengthen environmental clubs at secondary institutions. There are currently over 40 schools involved in the programme since its inception in 2019.

 

The students benefited from a presentation on recycling from Recycling Partners of Jamaica and learnt about the plastic ban and NEPA’s Adopt-A-Beach Programme.

 

NEPA’s CEO, Leonard Francis, in his remarks, challenged the students to use AI to improve sustainability projects and processes and urged them to see themselves as part of the solution. “Through the National School Environment Club, I wish to encourage you to become innovative and to explore solutions that will make the environment more sustainable, starting in your school. This will help to prepare you to be adults who can make a difference”, the CEO said.

 

Miss Jamaica Universe 2024, Rachel Silvera who was guest speaker at the event, inspired the students to do their part to make Jamaica a better place and spoke to her personal passion for the environment. At the same time, Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Mrs Jacqueline Flinch-Vassell reiterated the ministry’s support for NEPA’s school initiatives.

 

All the students were taken through a leadership teambuilding exercise in which they identified attributes of a good leader and presented their ideas to the group. As an institution that already has an environmental club, Wolmer’s Boys School shared their experience in establishing a club and spoke to their achievements over the years. “Our commitment to the environment extends beyond the walls of Wolmer’s Boys’. We actively participate in various environmental events, such as beach cleanups and mangrove planting”, President Rushaun Burrell said. He went on to share that Wolmer’s Boys' Environmental Club is the only school club in Jamaica where members are ambassadors participating in the fight against POPs (persistent organic pollutants).

 

Meanwhile, the excursion segment of the workshop saw the students visiting Burns Gully, off Port Royal Street, and the Clean Cost Project offloading site on 86 Windward Road where they were able to view the impact of solid waste on the gully along South Camp Road. This activity was led by Ms. Elizabeth Goodleigh, Environmental Education Officer at the Grace Kennedy Foundation Clean Coast Project who enlightened the students on what her organization was doing to address the pollution of Kingston Harbour. She welcomed the students’ interest in the environment and spoke to the importance of separating and properly disposing of garbage in order to save the harbour.

 

 

 

 

Students and teachers of schools’ environmental clubs at GK Foundation’s Clean Coast Project on Windward Road in Kingston on March 25,2025.

 

 

Cassidy Murray of Apha Institute raises his hand to provide a response during the question-and-answer session at GK Foundation’s Clean Coast Project

 

 

 

 

Daniel Lawes-Tomlinson, Deputy Head boy at Gaynstead High School greets staff of the Clean Coast Project. Gaynstead High School launched their environment club in January 2025.

 

 

 

Miss Jamaica Universe 2024, Rachel Silvera engages Adrian Mitchel of Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Daniel Lawes-Tomlinson of Gaynstead High School, Chadwick Sadler of Wolmer’s School for Boys and Justin Folkes of Kingsway High School in an environmental show and tell.

 

 

Lenya Duffus of YWCA and Kaheem Norman of Alpha Institute share ideas on good leadership attributes during a workshop exercise. The students also presented their ideas to the group. Alpha Institute will be launching their environmental club soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Rushaun Burrell, president of Wolmer’s Boys Environment Club shares his clubs testimonial with participants.

 

 

 

 

 

Cehera Salmon of Gaystead High School receiving an environmental kit from NEPA’s Information Officer, Nola Wright.

 

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Ava Tomlinson

Public Education and Corporate Communication Branch (PECCB)

National Environment and Planning Agency

Tel: 876-754-7540, ext. 2756.

Email: avatomlinson@nepa.gov.jm

Website: www.nepa.gov.jm