Savanna-la-Mar Primary wins Environment Day debate competition

WHEN 11-year-old Shanika Howard of Green Island Primary School was informed that she was best speaker of the World Environment Day Debate Competition, she was elated.

"I felt overjoyed and overwhelmed. I didn't expect it. Then when I heard my name, I cried tears of joy," she said with a broad smile. Howard was among the winners of the competition, which was organised by the National Environment and Planning Agency in observation of World Environment Day on June 5.

Meanwhile, Savanna-la-Mar Primary School emerged the winner of the competition, which was held at the JN Source Centre in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland. The competition was opened to all primary schools in the area. Five schools competed. The schools were Broughton, Townhead, Savanna-la-Mar, Unity and Green Island. The students argued the moot 'Be it resolved that safeguarding Negril's coastline against the impact of climate change is the sole responsibility of the State.'

TOP THREE

In the end, Savanna-la-Mar Primary copped top honours while Green Island Primary placed second. Unity Primary rounded out the top three.

Coach of the winning team and teacher at the school, Tanique Lewis-Myrie, said she was overjoyed at her students' performance in the competition. According to Lewis-Myrie, her students are now more environmentally aware and in a better position to play their part in safeguarding the environment.