Nine teachers' colleges across Jamaica will participate in the second phase of a project to infuse topics on the country's biodiversity in their teaching curricula.

The project is coordinated by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), and the Joint Board of Teacher Education (JBTE). It is funded by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ).

The project is geared towards early childhood and primary school educators and seeks to develop activities that go beyond the confines of science into all disciplines, to explore the economic, social, cultural and political aspects of biodiversity. It aims to empower student teachers with the knowledge and skills to include topics on biodiversity in their teaching curriculum when they leave the college.

Increase awareness

"The project is an attempt not just to increase awareness and knowledge of biodiversity among our lecturers, but to develop positive attitudes and behaviour in the student teachers towards the protection of Jamaica's rich biodiversity," said Carlette Falloon, programme director at the JET.

She added: "Very few persons know that Jamaica is ranked number one in endemic birds in the Caribbean ... and fifth in endemic plants among the islands of the world."

Activities under the project include professional development workshops for the lecturers, as well as yearlong college based action projects on biodiversity.

The project will culminate with a symposium to share results and best practices with the wider education community.

Participating colleges are Bethlehem Moravian College; Church Teachers' College; College of Agriculture, Science and Education; Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts; Mico College; Moneague College; Sam Sharpe Teachers' College; Shortwood Teachers' College and St. Joseph's Teachers' College.