Two out of three for King school

KING William’s Town’s St Christopher’s private school has won the provincial environmental awards for the second time in three years.

The private school won the regional awards in August and came first in the recent provincial awards hosted by the department of economic development, environmental affairs and tourism.

The school’s environmental science committee chairman Ernest Egbe commended the pupils for their commitment and dedication.

This year’s theme for the high school category was “Save Our Sky: Ozone Friendly Planet Our Target”.

Egbe said among the team’s winning pointers raised was the fact that lifestyles had to change and everyone had to engage in protecting the planet.

“The team suggested people become more involved in planting trees, car pooling, usage of chloroflorocarbon- (CFC) free refrigerators and air conditioners. They also suggested the reduction of the use of insecticide and pesticide to minimise people inhaling CFCs.”

St John’s College in Mthatha and Bizana Village High School took second and third places respectively in the high school category.

The primary school’s theme was “The Importance of Vultures in Our Ecosystem”, which was won by Hlabathi Primary school in Lusikisiki, while Zenith Junior Senior Secondary was second and East London’s Cranberry Primary School came third.

Economic development, environmental affairs and tourism MEC Sakhumzi Somyo said it was imperative to engage the young children because they could find solutions to environmental threats.

“The threat of extinction of some important species of plants and animals, as well as the threat posed by ozone depletion and climate change, are some of the serious issues we are all faced with currently.” —