In a pioneering initiative blending education with agriculture, Ciceron R.C. Combined School has emerged victorious in Saint Lucia’s inaugural Schools Backyard Garden Competition. The event, organized as a cornerstone of the Consumer Affairs Department’s Food Security Campaign during Business Month activities, saw Millet Primary School and Anse La Raye Primary School claiming second and third places respectively.
Seven educational institutions from District Four participated in this innovative program, receiving vital seed contributions from the Taiwan Technical Mission. Students were tasked with establishing functional gardens while meticulously documenting their agricultural journey through video submissions. Additional participating schools included La Croix Maingot Combined School, Roseau R.C. Combined School, L’Abayee SDA Primary School, and Odsan Primary School.
Educators observed remarkable student engagement throughout the project. Omica Common, Special Education teacher at the winning institution, noted how students incorporated traditional gardening techniques from their grandparents. The initiative sparked such enthusiasm at Anse La Raye Primary that Science teacher Lillian Stephens reported increased demand for farming club membership, leading to expanded projects including organic pesticide production and handmade flower pots.
The Taiwan Technical Mission provided comprehensive support under Project Lead Maria Jaganath, who helped transform outdoor spaces into practical learning environments. The mission awarded monetary prizes to top-performing schools alongside recognition for all participants. This collaborative effort received additional backing from Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Equity.
At the January 15, 2026 awards ceremony held at the Archbishop Kelvin Felix Pastoral Centre, Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte-Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Equity, praised the project’s alignment with national youth development and food security objectives. She emphasized how the initiative demonstrated successful implementation of policy through effective partnerships, creating tangible community outcomes while acknowledging the crucial support from school administrators and staff.