NEPA Inspiring Youth to Become Environmental Champions
By: , March 13, 2026
Photo: JANELL HENDERSON
Titchfield High School students place their pledge during a National Schools Environmental Clubs Student Workshop hosted by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), at the school in Port Antonio on March 6.
Photo: JANELL HENDERSON
Chief Executive Officer, National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Leonard Francis (right), shares a moment with students of St. Thomas Technical High School. Also present are (from left) Teacher, St. Thomas Technical High School, Britany Wilson, and Chief of Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience, Island Car Rentals, Nichole Brackett Walters.The Full Story
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is continuing its efforts to inspire young Jamaicans to become champions for the environment, through its National School Environmental Club Programme (NSECP).
As part of the initiative, NEPA recently staged a workshop at Titchfield High School in Port Antonio on March 6, aimed at establishing and strengthening environmental clubs in schools.
Six high schools from Portland and St. Thomas participated in the event, which featured presentations on environmental matters, guidance on how to run successful environmental clubs, and the distribution of resources to support club activities.
Participating institutions were Titchfield High, Fair Prospect High, Seaforth High, Port Antonio High, Happy Grove High and St. Thomas Technical High Schools.
The workshop also engaged students in interactive learning sessions, discussions and practical activities designed to build knowledge about climate resilience and encourage greater youth participation in environmental protection.
Students benefited from presentations on climate change and environmental challenges delivered by Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, as well as Manager of the Public Education and Corporate Communication Branch at NEPA, Angela Hamilton, who outlined programme expectations and the next steps for participating schools.
Chief Executive Officer of NEPA, Leonard Francis, said the workshop “presents a very unique opportunity” for all who participated, noting that young people will play a critical role in safeguarding the environment.
He emphasised that children are important stakeholders, as they are the future.
The NSECP workshop, which began in 2019, is an annual event on NEPA’s calendar and is designed to initiate, resuscitate and strengthen environmental clubs at secondary institutions.
The initiative underscores NEPA’s commitment to empowering young people to become informed environmental advocates and active contributors to sustainable development within their schools and communities.
