Jamaica honours student photographers at 2026 National Career Photo Challenge awards

Jamaica’s National Career Photo Challenge reached its climax at an awards and recognition ceremony in 2026, celebrating young photographers whose work connected practical skills with national recovery after Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.

The competition replaced the long-running National Career Poster Competition, first launched in February 2017 by the Career Development Support Services Unit of the HEART/NSTA Trust with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information. It formed part of National Career Awareness Week, observed from 22 to 27 February 2026 under the theme “Fueling growth, creating opportunities through career development,” and ran on the sub-theme “Skills in action: Restoring hope, rebuilding with a purpose.”

Dr. Marcia Ro Amande, senior director of standards, curriculum and learning resources at the HEART/NSTA Trust, told the gathering that participants had shown digital literacy, entrepreneurship and hands-on TVET competencies through photography. Mrs. Kenny Davidson, assistant chief education officer in the ministry’s Guidance and Counseling Unit, represented Chief Education Officer Mrs. Terion Thomas-Gale and praised the initiative for helping students express resilience, empathy and hope.

Guest speaker Donet Zaka, founder of the Jamaica Photographic Society and a photographer with more than four decades of experience, urged young people to pursue careers with discipline, integrity and sustained practice. She studied at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and later earned a master’s degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Coordinator Ramoy Leard reported that entries were judged regionally before national adjudication. About eight primary students, 12 secondary students and 17 HEART/NSTA trainees took part across Jamaica’s educational regions. Participants submitted images and one-minute videos explaining the skills, careers and recovery themes shown in their photographs, with focus areas including construction, agriculture, health support, emergency response and the creative arts.

In the primary category, Anthony Clark of Norman Gardens Primary School won first place, Andreia Johnson of Cascade Primary and Infant School placed second, and Holland Primary and Brandon Hill Primary shared third. At the secondary level, Kimora Allison of Fern Court High School took top honours, Shivia Murray of Merlene AI High School finished second, and Winston Jones High School placed third. Among HEART/NSTA institutions, Fabian Stewart of the Derek Rochester campus won, with the St. Elizabeth Parish Office in third place.

Partners supporting the programme included Junior Achievers Jamaica, Jamaica Library Services and Choices. Officials said the challenge strengthened career guidance, showcased youth talent islandwide and reinforced collaboration between schools, training institutions and educators.