adminRejoice Makoni
Herald Correspondent
Schools have been urged to adopt strategies enshrined in the Integrated Waste Management Plan which aims at reducing the total amount of waste ultimately disposed at a landfill.
This was said by the Director General for Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Mr Aaron Chigona at the Clean Schools Competition award presentation ceremony held at Pumula High school.
Mr Chigona said it humbles the agency to record such an uptake exhibited by the environmental schools’ clubs in the competition and called for continued participation in all future environmental competitions.
“EMA has over the years been running environmental competitions in schools through its ‘Catch them Young’ programme and some of these competitions include the school debate, school quiz and conservation projects, to mention a few.
“The motivation behind such competitions is to instil environmental stewardship from an early age to allow for the protection of the environment for posterity.
“At the same time these competitions instil a sense of competitiveness among schools, thus encouraging the adoption of best practises in the same schools and eventually in communities our learners come from” said Mr Chigona.
Speaking at the same event the Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Ms Thumsang Thabela said it is the Ministry’s desire and hope to see the young people taking the lead in growing and creating a clean, safe and health Zimbabwe we want.
“The competition enhances the thrust on education for sustainable development as we reuse recycle and reduce waste.
“We will adopt the clean schools’ concept in all our schools and we want to acknowledge the multisectoral approach towards grooming the young children to grow into responsible adults.
According to the Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:27, everyone has a right to a clean and safe environment, hence everyone has a duty to protect the environment.
Online Reporter