JPS uses reading to spark sustainability conversations with over 1,000 students across Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — May 6, 2026 — More than 1,000 students across Jamaica were introduced to the future of energy and sustainability through storytelling, as team members from the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) participated in Read Across Jamaica Day activities at 16 primary schools islandwide.

The initiative, which spanned schools in Clarendon, Manchester, Hanover, St. James, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, and Kingston, saw JPS representatives engaging students through interactive reading sessions designed not only to promote literacy but also to introduce important national conversations around sustainability from an early age.

At the centre of the experience was the children’s book The New Car on the Block, which follows a young girl named Zora as she explores the world of electric vehicles. Set in Jamaica, the story highlights the environmental benefits of EVs while encouraging young readers, particularly girls, to see themselves in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Through lively storytelling and discussion, students responded with excitement and curiosity, with many expressing enthusiasm about electric vehicles and their potential to positively impact the environment. For many, the concept of EVs was both new and exciting, reinforcing the importance of introducing these ideas in relatable and engaging ways.

JPS says the initiative reflects its broader commitment to national development, recognising that building a sustainable future begins with education and awareness at the earliest levels.

“Read Across Jamaica Day provided an opportunity for us to connect with students in a meaningful way, using storytelling as a tool to introduce concepts that will shape the future of our country,” Shenee Tabannah Anderson, Brand Experience & Special Projects Officer, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) shared. “As Jamaica continues its transition toward more sustainable energy solutions, it is important that our young people are not only aware of these changes, but inspired by them.”

As part of the initiative, copies of the book were donated to participating schools by the JPS Foundation, along with tokens of appreciation for both students and teachers, ensuring that the learning extends beyond the day’s activities and continues within the classroom.