Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
[email protected]
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is hosting a three-day national training workshop for provincial schools environmental club patrons drawn from all provinces across the country, as part of efforts to strengthen environmental education and stewardship among learners.
The workshop is being held at a Bulawayo hotel.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is participating in the workshop through Provincial Education Directors’ offices, fostering a coordinated approach to school-led environmental action.
The training seeks to enhance the capacity of environmental club patrons to effectively coordinate and guide environmental clubs in their respective provinces. A key focus of the workshop is exploring the link between environmental club activities and the heritage-based curriculum, ensuring that learners develop a deeper appreciation of environmental conservation through indigenous knowledge systems, local culture and national identity.
In a media brief, EMA said environmental clubs play a critical role in shaping responsible citizens who are conscious of their duty to protect and sustainably manage natural resources.
“Environmental education remains one of the most effective tools in promoting sustainable environmental practices. By empowering environmental club patrons, we are strengthening the foundation upon which environmentally responsible behaviour is built among learners,” said EMA.
The agency said the training was designed to equip patrons with practical skills and innovative approaches that will enable them to effectively guide learners in environmental protection initiatives within schools and communities.
“We want environmental clubs to become centres of excellence where learners actively participate in environmental management, climate change adaptation, waste management, biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource utilisation. Patrons are key to achieving this vision,” said EMA.
Participants are engaging in knowledge-sharing sessions, practical demonstrations and collaborative learning activities aimed at improving environmental programmes in schools.
EMA said integrating environmental activities into the heritage-based curriculum will help learners appreciate the connection between environmental conservation and Zimbabwe’s cultural values and traditions.
“Our heritage teaches us to live in harmony with nature. By integrating environmental stewardship into the heritage-based curriculum, we are ensuring that learners embrace both modern environmental management practices and indigenous knowledge systems,” said the agency.
The initiative reflects EMA’s commitment to supporting educators, aligning environmental programmes with national educational frameworks and nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who will play a leading role in safeguarding the environment for future generations.
