Essay Theme: “Honouring our People, Protecting the Future.”

Essay Question: What would you say is the most significant achievement of Jamaicans and what should be put in place to preserve this legacy?

Deadline: OCTOBER 24, 2025

How to submit: Essays should be submitted using the application form below by midnight Friday, October 24, 2025.

1. An original
2. Written by the student in Standard English
3. Between 400 to 500 words. Essays will be judged on the following criteria:
   • Relevance to the topic
   • Originality
   • Accuracy and analysis of the researched data
   • Writing style and language skills.

Submissions should also include Bibliography or list of references
(at least one of the references MUST be a JIS source). The Jamaica Information
Service (JIS) reserves the right to disqualify any essay that does not meet the
requirements specified in these instructions. Students will be penalized for
Plagiarism (passing off another person’s idea or written work as your own).

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top three (3) students. Prizes will also be given
to the top participants courtesy of sponsorship from corporate Jamaica. Photos
and accompanying news releases will be posted on the website of the JIS.

Eligibility

Any registered Primary or Preparatory School Student in Jamaica aged 9 – 12 is
eligible to compete. Relatives of JIS staff members are not eligible to
participate in the Heritage Essay Competition.

Additional Information

Please ensure that you keep a copy of your essay. The submitted essay becomes
the property of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

Contacts for Participants

Special Projects Department
JAMAICA INFORMATION SERVICE
58a Half-Way Tree Road KINGSTON 10
TEL: 926-3740-6 Ext. 2103 & 2137
Email Address: heritageessay@jis.gov.jm