- Kwale schools have established nurseries and planted seedlings to promote conservation and combat climate change.
- Students have been taught tree planting, grafting, bamboo cultivation, and recycling waste into useful materials.
- Knowledge from schools has helped learners encourage families to adopt better waste management and conservation practices.
Schools in Kwale County are stepping up tree growing and waste recycling as part of efforts to address climate change and promote environmental conservation among learners.
The schools have established tree nurseries to raise different varieties of seedlings for planting within school compounds and surrounding areas.
The initiative is being implemented under the “Sikiliza Sauti Yetu, Dunia Inaita” project by WeWorld with funding from the European Union.
Among the institutions is Matuga Comprehensive School where learners grow seedlings, plant trees and recycle waste, while also cultivating bamboo for environmental and economic benefits.
Project officer John Elly said since its launch, the project has equipped learners with practical skills in tree growing, waste management and environmental conservation.
He said exposing children to conservation activities at an early age would help develop responsible citizens who understand the need to protect their surroundings.
“The progress we have witnessed in the schools shows that when students are given the opportunity and resources, they can play a significant role in environmental conservation,” Elly said.
He said teachers use different approaches, including planting fruit trees, grafting and recycling waste into useful materials.
Matuga Comprehensive School headteacher Hadija Hamisi said learners were being taught how to reuse waste materials instead of disposing of them.
Hamisi said the practical approach had improved learners’ understanding of proper waste management and contributed to a cleaner school environment.
She said the knowledge gained at school was also helping learners influence conservation practices at home and in their communities.
Matuga Comprehensive School student Mwanamisi Chari said the programme had improved her understanding of environmental conservation and changed her attitude towards waste.
Chari said she had learnt that materials considered waste could be reused to make useful and decorative items, reducing pollution.
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She said she now applies the lessons at home by keeping her surroundings clean, disposing of waste properly and encouraging family members to reuse materials.
“I have learnt that protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility,” Chari said.
She added that sharing the lessons with her family had encouraged them to avoid littering and adopt better waste management practices.
By Shaban Omar
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