Learners at 18 schools around the country, including those at Alexandra’s Ekukhanyisweni Primary School, have been engaged in a programme to create eco-classrooms.
The learners were supported by Sun International in a two-year partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) as they create eco-classrooms to build environmental resilience in schools and their communities.
Sun International donated more than R1million to support the programme in schools in areas surrounding their hotel properties in a programme kicked off in August last year and runs until the end of July 2023 and involves more than 450 learners ranging from Grade 6 to 10.
“Learners that understand the science, impacts, and solutions are better prepared to deal with the climate crisis and advocate for mitigation and adaptation policies at a local and national level,” said Wessa senior project manager Nomfundo Ndlovu.
Wessa is one of South Africa’s oldest and largest independent non-profit environmental organisations. It was formed in 1926 when a group of individuals got together to campaign for the creation of a National Parks Board [now known as SANParks], which ensured the proclamation of the Kruger National Park and other national parks.
“Education gives people the skills and knowledge to be better prepared and able to recover from natural hazards. With knowledge and skills, they can adapt more flexibly. With our educational programmes, Wessa hopes to inspire the next generation to advocate and act for a healthy planet they are proud of,” said Ndlovu.
“Sun International Eco-Schools project will support schools with the creation of eco-classrooms where learners, teachers and school leadership will use the eco-schools’ seven-steps framework to chart a way to building resilience in their schools and communities,” said Sun International’s Heidi Edson.
The steps are to write an eco-code, form an eco-committee, do an environmental review, develop an action plan, monitor and evaluate, link to the curriculum, and inform and involve others.
Some of cross-cutting challenges that will be addressed are poor waste management, substance abuse and poor sanitation.
Schools will also select specific themes that will give them specific focus areas for their projects. Edson explained, “This is vital in the sustainability of projects because teachers and learners are trained to do this themselves, and thus can continue maintaining their projects and start new ones.
“The learners will gain much from participating in the programme, from science learnings to values, knowledge about plants and animals, human and environmental health, to practical skills such as learning how to separate recycling and how to plant indigenous plants.”
In the process, learners get to adopt soft skills – self-confidence, leadership abilities, critical thinking and the will to act and advocate.
An environmental campaign is also run at schools, aligned with calendar dates such as World Food Day, Arbor Day, World Environmental Health Day and World Water Week.
To ensure long-term sustainability, teachers will be supported to establish Sun International teacher hubs which will grow to become a ‘community of practice’, where teachers come together to share expertise, work collaboratively and a space for professional dialogue.
Related Article:
Local philanthropist urges Fourways community to help donate clothes for learners’ matric farewell
