Caring for nature

PLANET-loving teachers and pupils recently gathered at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve for the annual Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa Eco-Schools

Awards (WESSA).

Eco-Schools is an environmental education programme that teaches pupils about caring for the environment.

The programme has been implemented in 67 countries and has been in schools since 2003.

Teachers and pupils, from 65 Cape

Town schools attended the event, along with several members of society and the provincial education department’s chief director of curriculum and teacher development, Haroon Mahomed.

The awards recognise the schools who have been part of the Eco-Schools programme for a long time.

They include the platinum awards, given to schools who have been part of the programme for six to nine years, and decade awards, given to schools who joined the programme 10 years ago.

Delana Eksteen, programme manager for Eco-Schools, said: “Upon registration, the schools become part of the International Eco-Schools network and the prestige of flying a Green Flag in year 3 and an International Green Flag in year 5.”

Eksteen added the programme’s environmental action learning projects were linked to the curricula of participating schools and that they could sometimes share information with international schools that were also part of the project.

“WESSA supports schools with their action learning programmes, also giving them a platform to enter national and international competitions.

“Schools decrease their water and energy consumption, improve waste management and food security, and enhance the environmental knowledge and practical skills of their learners,” said Eksteen.

Mahomed said nature was the best teacher and adopting a green attitude was relevant to education.

“The Eco-Schools programme is well placed to support and provide a platform for learners to develop skills for the upliftment of themselves and their communities.”

If you think your school could do with more eco-friendliness, tell your teacher about the Eco-Schools programme.

See www.wessa.org.za

Teachers and pupils, from 65 Cape Town schools attended the event.

Eco-Schools Awards at Tygerberg Nature reserve.PICTURES: AYANDA NDAMANE/ AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA)

Cape Floreat Primary School Grade 7 pupil, Kelsey Van Neel, and teacher Joanne de Swardt receive a Platinum 2 Award during the Eco-Schools Awards at Tygerberg Nature reserve.