Environmental excellence is celebrated
FOURWAYS – Schools that ticked all the boxes in environmental engagement and project conservation were awarded on the day.
The Indaba Conference Centre welcomed 41 schools from around Gauteng for the Eco-Schools Awards hosted by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa).
Present at the event was the Department of Education’s acting director for general education and training curriculum, Kholofelo Makhaga, as well as teachers, selected learners and school governing body members from participating schools.
The environmental organisation Wessa works with schools and teachers throughout South Africa on a range of local and international programmes to support and improve school curricula with regard to environmental learning.
The aim is to enable learners to achieve their full potential towards a sustainable future by taking environmental action in their own areas and to initiate and support high impact environmental and conservation projects to promote participation in caring for the earth.
Schools that have ticked all the boxes in environmental engagement and project conservation were awarded on the day. Donavan Fullard, general manager of the environmental institution said this was a remarkable event as schools were celebrated for the work they do in their communities and the action plans they implement.
“Eco-Schools is all about implementing action programmes based on themes which are water, waste, energy, climate change, transport and biodiversity schools choose from to develop an action plan then work on it,” he said.
Refitlhile Primary School were awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag award which is an internationally recognised award for excellence in environmental action and learning.
The Green Flag award can be achieved by reaching bronze and silver awards which are self-accredited stepping stones along the way.
Lethlogonolo Mothoa, a representative from the primary school, said this recognition shows that the school is heading in the right direction.
“This flag is dedicated to everyone at the school, we are so overwhelmed and it shows that we’re on the right path,” she said
Makhaga was also impressed with the work teachers do in environmental studies. “Teachers are beginning to engage in practical work, it’s just not in the classroom and the involvement of the community at large is really outstanding.
“I also have to acknowledge the work that is done by Eco-Schools, this is a great learning initiative for learners.”
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