13 SCHOOLS FROM ST ANN FOCUSSED ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Runaway Bay, St Ann; Jan 14, 2026
Brown’s Town Primary students beat several other primary and preparatory education institutions to win the inaugural Environmental Quiz and Expo competition for St Ann Schools.
Brown’s Town Primary beat The Glen Preparatory 36-30 in a closely contested final match held at Holiday Haven in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on Tuesday, January 13. In doing so, they took the $100,000 first place prize.
(Team members of Brown’s Town Primary stand with an image of their winner’s cheque)
Runaway Bay Primary took third place, after beating Lower Buxton Primary 50 points to 7.
The competition brought together 13 primary-level institutions from St. Ann. It was organised by Cause for Change Foundation Limited, in partnership with VM Foundation and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, among other entities.
(OK Then — The winner at it)
For the winning team’s captain, Jaymar Duckett, the victory was both thrilling and rewarding.
“I’m feeling great and grateful about it,” said Jaymar, who is in the sixth grade.
“Going into the final, I thought about all the rules that our coach told us about consulting and always waiting until we’re acknowledged. So, I felt great and thankful that my team worked together to win,” he added.
Coach and teacher, Akelia Riley, said she remained optimistic throughout the competition and had confidence that her team would bring home the trophy.
( Principal Director of Cause for Change Foundation Ltd, Richardo Aiken)
“We decided to enter because the students needed to learn more, not only in-class learning but to learn a little extra about how they can care for their environment and also to educate others,” said Ms Riley.
“Once they learn these things, they never forget. Also, they communicate with their peers and family members, so they will be able to share this information and also put it into practice in their everyday lives,” she continued.
The event was designed to provide an educational opportunity for schools and communities about healthy environmental practices and ways to create a better and safer environment for Jamaicans.
Principal Director of Cause for Change Foundation Limited, Richardo Aiken, told JIS News that the competition achieved its goal of engaging young minds in meaningful climate change discussions.
For her part, Chief Executive Officer of VM Foundation, Samantha Charles, said the event was exciting, educational, and extremely engaging, adding that she would love to see the competition expand beyond the parish.
Photos and text by Oxoye Henry, JIS
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