Inverness Primary tops Enviro Competition

Health Minister, John Junor (centre), and Mr. Albert Daley (right), from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, listen as students from Fair Prospect High explain their project. - Contributed

INVERNESS PRIMARY in St. Ann copped the CIBC trophy and a computer for being the "Most Environmentally Aware" school at the recent awards ceremony for the Schools' Environment Programme (SEP).

Second place went to Sandy Bay Primary and Junior High in Hanover and two third place winners -- Vere Technical High, Clarendon and Fair Prospect High, Portland completed the top winners.

Seventy-eight schools emerged winners at the regional level with 10 finalists at the national level. Inverness, a finalist, excelled in the areas of "Most Knowledgeable Students" and "Best Community Participation". The other national finalists were Sheffield All Age, Negril; St. Thomas Technical; Brimmervale, St. Mary; St. Andrew Primary, Kingston; and Content Gap, Blue and John Crow Mountains.

Guest speaker at the awards function, Minister of Health, John Junor, opened his address by emphasising the link between human health and environmental conditions. "The Ministry of Health recognises this importance," said the Minister, "and to this end has identified three main areas of focus - community water and sanitation, solid waste management and disposal, and occupational health."

The one-time Minister of Environment pointed out that Jamaica's efforts for economic growth and development must be equally matched by our efforts to preserve the environment.

"This is not an option," said the Minister. "If we destroy the environment, we destroy ourselves."

He had high commendation for the Jamaica Environment Trust and the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust on their vision in developing the schools' programme. He was particularly pleased with the knowledge displayed by the students while he was touring the exhibits.

In presenting the main award, Mr. Raymond Campbell, vice-president, Commercial Clients and Corporate Affairs, CIBC Jamaica said, "Our wish is that this programme gets to the much wider society so that communities can understand the importance of maintaining a healthy environment."

SEP is a ground-breaking environmental education action programme run jointly by the Jamaica Environment Trust and the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust. It is implemented in 279 primary, prep., all-age, secondary and high schools across the island, with supervision from 15 non-government organisations. Funding is received from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, the British High Commission, Canada/Jamaica Green Fund Project, and four corporate sponsors - CIBC Jamaica, West Indies Alumina Company (formerly Alcan Jamaica Company, Jamaica Producers Group Limited - bringing together local and international organisations and the private sector in a unique partnership.

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