NSECP Instilling Good Environmental Practices Amongst Students

The National School Environmental Club Programme (NSECP) is playing a pivotal role in positioning Jamaica’s youth at the forefront of efforts to combat the global triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change.

Coordinated by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the initiative is currently active in more than 40 secondary schools islandwide, equipping students with the tools and opportunities to become environmentally conscious, action-oriented leaders.

Central to the programme is the strengthening of environmental clubs through targeted initiatives, including the NSECP workshop, which was first introduced in 2019.

“This programme is not just about having a club that meets once a month every week. It’s about students leading recycling drives, protecting biodiversity, promoting water conservation and raising awareness about climate change,” NSECP Coordinator and NEPA Public Education and Community Outreach Officer, Micholyn Hurd said.

“It’s about students becoming advocates and change makers within their schools and communities,” she added.

Efforts to deepen engagement were further advanced with the staging of a National Schools Environmental Clubs Student Workshop at Titchfield High School in Port Antonio, Portland, on March 6, under the theme ‘Climate Ready: Empowering Youth for a Resilient Future’.

At the event, the Agency also launched the NEPA Games, which is aimed at making learning interactive and engaging.

“We believe environmental education doesn’t have to be boring, it can be interactive, and it can be competitive… it can be fun,” Ms. Hurd noted.

Among the highlights of the initiative is the NEPA Eco Quest Climate Change Trivia, which allows students to test their knowledge on climate change, environmental issues and sustainability, while competing with peers.

Other activities include ‘Recycle Rush’, where participants race to correctly sort waste and make smart recycling decisions, and ‘Reef Stable’, which focuses on protecting Jamaica’s coral reefs while helping students understand how their choices impact marine ecosystems.

Meanwhile, NEPA is further expanding its youth engagement strategy with the introduction of a Junior CEO Competition designed to build environmental awareness and leadership.

The initiative was announced by Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NEPA, Leonard Francis, during the NSECP capacity-building workshop at Titchfield High School.

“Starting for this year, NEPA will be having a young CEO Programme,” Mr. Francis said, noting that a winner will be selected in November.

Participants will gain a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the agency’s operations, interact with key decision-makers and gain insight into environmental governance.

Mr. Francis encouraged students to take advantage of the initiative, emphasising its potential to create meaningful opportunities.

“You should apply because we promise you that you’ll get great opportunities,” he said.

He further underscored the importance of such initiatives in shaping the country’s future leadership in environmental stewardship.

“We need to ensure that we have persons who are going to be new ministers of the environment, climate change; we’re going to have new CEOs,” Mr. Francis stated.