The general format of SEP's methodology includes:

• Providing Teachers’ Manuals to participating schools
• Bringing other environmental non-government organizations (NGOs) into partnership to assist with school supervision
• Assigning JET field staff to supervise NGOs and/or schools
• Organizing a series of teacher workshops on an environmental theme in October and February (often including a field trip)
• Judging schools in a regional and national process
• Celebrating achievements at a formal awards ceremony in June
• Evaluating the Programme both during and at the end of each school year

Programme Content

SEP requires each school to carry out activities in four main areas. These are:

• Managing Garbage
• Greening of School Grounds
• Starting/Strengthening an Environmental Club
• Environmental Research

Under the Managing Garbage section, schools conduct garbage audits, implement litter warden patrols, undertake garbage reduction, reuse and recycling projects, establish compost heaps, and carry out litter-less lunch programmes. Most SEP schools report marked improvement in waste handling, improved knowledge among students about the hazards of waste and more pleasant school environments.

Plastic recycling bins at Negril All Age (Westmoreland)

Under the Greening section, schools establish tree nurseries, do tree planting either on school grounds or in nearby communities, label trees on school grounds, plant organic gardens, test organic garden plots against plots grown using intensive farming methods, make home-made insect sprays, and design nature walks and nature sanctuaries.

Container gardening at Westwood High (Trelawny)

Under the Environment Club section of SEP, schools must start or strengthen an environmental club. This is intended to promote sustainability of the programme, as vibrant Environment Clubs provide an on-going focus for activities. Environment Clubs must provide evidence of regular meetings, election of officers and projects carried out. Members of school environment clubs typically make posters on environmental issues, address school assemblies or PTA meetings, conduct advocacy campaigns, work in the garden, conduct clean-ups, adopt nearby basic schools or become litter wardens. SEP also encourages the use of existing school clubs to undertake environmental activities.

Environment Club kids of Negril All Age

Schools also do an Environmental Research project under SEP. Typically, schools research issues such as energy, deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, climate change, protection of the ozone layer, loss of biological diversity, and endangered species in Jamaica. Schools often build models to demonstrate their work and often these models are made from waste materials.

Students of Gideon Education Centre (Portland) demonstrate their research on water pollution