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NGO takes environmental conservation to classes
2006-11-07 10:11:38
By Adam Ihucha, Arumeru
Thousands of primary school pupils in northern Tanzania will be taught environmental conservation, thanks to a programme run by Jane Goodall Institute.
The four-year mobile video wildlife and conservation education project, with its slogan ’stitching nature for kids’ was launched recently at Leganga Primary School in Usa-River in Arumeru by Nature for Kids and Roots & Shoots – which are outreach programmes of Jane Goodall Institute.
’’Over the course of the programme, the mobile video unit will reach nearly 18,000 students, hailing from 76 schools in Arusha and Manyara regions,’’ according to the project manager, Eastern Zone, Erasto Njavike.
To ensure full cooperation for project implementation, the ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Regional and Districts Education offices have been incorporated in the project.
Local teachers are aiding in the implementation of the project as full time members, Njavile noted, explaining that participating teachers also will receive materials and guidance in facilitating follow up discussions.
The videos filmed in both Kiswahili and English and produced locally by Nature for Kids, underscore the importance of local environmental issues and encourage open discussions with the young students.
According to the Nature for Kids and Roots & Shoots chief, the project began its first circuit in September 2006 and will continue to 2010.
Officiating at the colorful event, the Arumeru District Education Statistics and Logistic officer, Frank Mwambashi, said the project would be of great importance for the country.
’’We are very grateful to Nature for Kids in association with ’Roots & Shoots’ a programme of the Jane Goodall Institute, for doing what actually should be the government’s duty,’’ Mwambashi noted.
On her part, the Head teacher of Leganga Primary School said her school would be a model of nature conservation.
Established by Jane Goodall Institute, ’’Roots & Shoots’’ programme has been in operation since 1991, when a group of 16 students joined the institute to educate and involve young people and to help shape the future leaders. ’’Roots & Shoots’’ has registered over 8,500 groups in 96 countries.
Working within schools and the community, its members use resources from around the world to work towards preserving and improving their natural and social environs.
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