Early Childhood Evironmental Resource Centre
In 1998 a multi-stakeholder group under the Government of Jamaica/Canadian International Development Agency Environmental Action Programme (ENACT) completed a two year process of formulating a National Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development. An essential component and priority in this plan is the professional development of teachers in EESD, beginning with those in early childhood education. Naturally the plan envisions the involvement of the MOEYC and several partners with which it works for curriculum development and teacher education, in particular the JBTE.
Shortwood Teachers' College is one of the seven teachers' institutions also envisioned in the plan. Shortwood started preparing early childhood teachers in the 1950's. Since 1996 the College in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (Mona) has been offering the Bachelor of Education Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE). The Masters Degree programme in ECE began in 2000 in collaboration with the University of South Florida. This accords with the Government of Jamaica's promotion and expansion of ECE, though the budgetary allocation by the MOEYC is far below the desired level.
Since October 2000, STC has been conducting under ENACT sponsorship a "whole college" approach to Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (EESD). Out of this programme has come an Environmental Committee with a substantial set of activities for the current year, 2001-2002. these include the collection and use of recyclable materials, a composting area, further student participation in EESD, linking with other environmental organizations, sharing EESD with the wider community, and strategies for conserving energy, water and paper.
Environmental education at Shortwood, with its reach to both in-service and pre-service teachers, entails considerable community involvement. Teaching practice which is an integral part of the ECE B. Ed. programme, currently places student teachers into seven communities and their basic schools across the city, from Portmore to Rockfort, from the inner city to Stony Hill. In addition, the nearby Shortwood Practicing School and our newly formed relationship with two (2) other Demonstration schools, Constant Spring Primary School and Drews Avenue Primary School, provide opportunities for trainees to observe appropriate teaching methods. In-service teachers are from and in communities.
A contract was established between Shortwood Teachers' College and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to create a resource centre / demonstration facility to accommodate and enable the teaching / learning interaction in E.E.S.D between teachers, student teachers and children. A nature trail along with other green areas was to be developed also.