National school garden exhibition crowns winners across 56 schools in Spanish Town

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information staged the 2026 National School Garden Grand Exhibition and Awards Ceremony on Friday at José Martí Technical High School in Tinson Park, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, bringing together educators, students and partners under the theme From the Farm to the Table.

Fifty-six schools from across Jamaica showcased garden displays, creative dishes and student-led projects drawn from phases two and three of the National School Garden Project, alongside 11 phase-one schools recognised for sustaining their gardens. Chief adjudicator Dr. Olivine Evans said more than 70 judges from the ministry, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, RADA, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and Caribbean Broilers assessed gardens on site from May through 10 June, before judging visual displays and culinary entries at the exhibition.

Schools were rated on community involvement, garden quality, environmental stewardship, curriculum links, presentation, originality and nutritional value. Dr. Evans noted strong student engagement and well-maintained plots nationwide, while urging a minority of institutions to improve sustainability practices and adopt more climate-smart methods.

In remarks delivered on behalf of Permanent Secretary Dr. Cassan Troop, Deputy Chief Education Officer Mrs. Winnie Berry said the programme began in 2024 with a $10 million investment and 23 schools, and has expanded to a third phase backed by $30 million for 79 institutions spanning early-childhood, primary, special education and secondary levels. She linked the initiative to food security, the National School Nutrition Policy and Standards, and hands-on technical and vocational learning.

Regional Director for Region 6 Mrs. Sophia Forbes Hall welcomed guests, while School Feeding Programme Director Mrs. Dillette Hope Web closed the programme. Partners including the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Sagicor Group Jamaica, the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the World Health Organization supported the event.

Among major honours, Linton Park Primary was named overall phase-two champion, Windsor School of Special Education placed second and York High third. In phase three, Charlton Infant took top overall honours, with Rosebank Center of Excellence second and Windsor School of Special Education, Region 7, third. Region 6 was judged the most outstanding region in phase two, and Region 3 in phase three. Schools also collected sectional awards for innovation, best creative dish, best display and best school garden across infant, primary, special education and secondary categories.