We support educators in their efforts to include environmental topics in the curriculum as required by the Department of Education.
As part of the Revised National Curriculum Statement, schools are expected to include environmental topics in the curriculum but many do not have the resources, skills or information to do this. The WESSA/WWF-SA Eco-Schools programme was identified as a good way to implement environmental learning and improve the management of the schools’ environment, whilst also providing a structured way to assess results.
Lessons are often co-taught outdoors to encourage educators to try a different style of teaching. Learners love to play eco-games and it is well known that learning is more effective when there is action. Activities might include playing the Sharenet enviro-picture building game which deals with the principles of conservation, getting all tangled in the food web game or building a food pyramid with empty cans. Learners are always fascinated to learn that if you remove one piece of the ecology pyramid, everything can collapse.
Corrie Lynn Primary in the Dargle is one of many midlands schools fortunate enough to be situated near a river or wetland. MMAEP fieldworkers make full use of this opportunity to gather samples and identify various forms of life during outdoor lessons which focus on river health, wetland life, pollution, cholera and the importance of conserving catchments.
Sifisesihle Junior School in Mpophomeni Village celebrated Youth Day by cleaning up the wetland near to their school. Mpophomeni, the sound of falling water, is located in an important catchment area that feeds the Midmar dam. It is therefore vital that this precious wetland be conserved. Concerned learners, now aware of the importance of conserving and maintaining wetland health, initiated the clean up. Over 300 refuse bags were filled and an old fridge was found in the water!
National Birding Week is celebrated through a number of bird related activities. At Hilton Intermediate School, learners spent time in the school grounds observing and identifying bird species which were submitted to BirdLife Africa as part of a competition for National Birding week. Other schools made fun “binoculars” to focus their attention or wore big bird masks for a play about the life of birds. Learners at five schools won Bird Identification Books printed in Zulu to encourage them to pursue this hobby out of school hours.
In partnership with the Southern KZN Bird Route, enthusiastic learners are taken on field trips led by community guides, to birding hot spots in the Midlands.
It makes me feel happy to face new challenges and explore new things. I feel so happy to take care of the environment so that one day our children will live in a clean and beautiful environment.
Andiswa Mseswa Gr 7 Nottingham Road Combined School
