Port Antonio High School was named the “Most Environmentally Aware” school for 2006/7 at the Jamaica Environment Trust’s (JET) 10th Annual Schools’ Environment Programme (SEP) National Awards Ceremony. The school emerged the winner from over 180 schools island wide to walk away with the First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) trophy.  

Port Antonio High also won national prizes for Best Community Outreach Project and Most Creative Project, and regional prizes for garbage management and greening. The school, which placed third in the competition last year was promoted to the Advanced Schools level, and will serve as a model for other schools in the programme. Second place went to Denbigh High School, and Port Royal All Age and St. James College tied for third place. 

Guest speaker, Professor, the Honourable Rex Nettleford in emphasizing the importance of environmental education in schools stated that, “An endangered environment means an endangered human being who makes up the complexity of species on Planet Earth.  So taking care of the soil, our plants, our rivers, our coastlines, means taking care of ourselves.” 

SEP, which is endorsed by the Ministry of Education and Youth was also commended by Mr. Everald Douglas, Deputy Chief Education Officer. Mr. Douglas stated that, “The business of preserving the environment is of great importance to the sustainability of life and should not be left to volunteerism, and it is for this reason that the Ministry of Education and Youth has joined forces with JET in promoting and supporting SEP. My view and certainly that of others in the Ministry, is that SEP should be compulsory in all schools.” 

Other national winners included schools in the Advanced Schools Research Competition. In the senior category, Westwood High School was awarded first place, while second and third place went to Fair Prospect High and Ferncourt High respectively. Gideon Educational Centre was awarded first place in the junior category, while second place went to Inverness Primary and Infant, and May River and Mount St. Joseph Prep tied for third place. 

The Schools’ Environment Programme (SEP), currently in its 10th year, has to date been implemented in over 350 schools island wide reaching over 300,000 students and 600 teachers.  However, due to financial constraints, the programme was on the verge of closure last year, but was rescued by the Education Transformation Team, in the Ministry of Education and Youth, and the Sandals Resorts International’s “Champions for the Environment” initiative.  

Other sponsors of SEP are Sesame Street Workshop, WATA, Bashco, West Indies Alumina Company, First Caribbean International Bank, National Commercial Bank, Toyota Jamaica Ltd., Jamaica Energy Partners, Citigroup, US Embassy, Industrial Gases Limited, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, Jamaica Producers Group, Nestle Jamaica Ltd., and the United Nations Environment Programme.