Local board game promoting freshwater education
Through its education programme, Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) has created a board game to promote freshwater education.
In a press release, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) collective said the game, titled “The River Guardian,” has been piloted across seven primary schools in Region Four and over 200 Grade Six children and their teachers have benefitted.
The project, which was launched in May of this year, was done so as a pilot project which ran from May 4th to June 27th but with the attention the game has since received, “The River Guardian” is currently being reviewed for a second phase.
“The game, slightly similar to Monopoly, has wooden playing pieces that represent freshwater animals, face masks, and species cards which provide brief descriptions of the animals. PFG has consistently worked to develop new and innovative ways in freshwater education and to educate the general public about the importance of wildlife protection. They do this by employing several games and puzzles but it was “The River Guardian” that has caught the attention of the public, so much so that it is currently being reviewed by the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) and the University of Guyana Geographical Society to be a part of their updated curriculum from the Department of Environment,” the PFG release said.
The game is said to be fun and educational, while creating an appreciation for freshwater species and a knowledge of them for both children and adults.
PFG, which focuses primarily on accountability and transparency issues related to natural resources, climate change, and extractive industries, comprises a number of NGOs and encourages youth-centered organisations to come on board and join the discussion.
PFG has in the past partnered with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and through this experience is focused on addressing climate resilience, water, and food security within the Guianas. This includes an emphasis on freshwater policies and protection.
The seven primary schools in Region 4 to have benefitted are: Beterverwagting, Eccles, Plaisance, La Bonne Intention, Montrose, Lusignan, and Peter’s Hall Primary, through four strategic lesson plans.
According to PFG Communications Officer Shemaka Felix, the feedback from the schools has been incredible and PFG is excited to have the second phase of the board game out by December 6th.
A scheduled re-launch of “The River Guardian” is slated for the South Rupununi District Council Youth Conference Meeting from December 17th-20th.
Plans are also in place to have the game translated into the Wapishan dialect after this launch and before being distributed to all schools across Guyana via NCERD.