The Center for Mathematics Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) has identified 8 schools to establish tree nurseries with each seed bed having 10,000 seedlings in a bid to support the government’s initiative to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
CEMASTEA trainer John Oyuga, while speaking at Ngenia Boys High school in Limuru, Kiambu county, said that the initiative will see the organization together with KEFRI donate seed balls and tree seedlings to the schools which will in turn be hubs that will enable communities and neighbouring schools to plant trees.
“We will be working with stakeholders to identify schools within their environment to come and collect seedlings depending on their need. The species per region have been identified taking into account the climatic conditions,” Oyuga said.
He noted that they are planting Acacia, Japonica and Croton species and schools have the leeway to plant the trees in their compound and distribute the seedlings to the community,
“Part of what remains, the schools will be able to sell for the purpose of sustainability and make income or motivate learners,” Oyuga said.
The Principal Paul Warutere said that it is a noble initiative where students will be involved to positively impact on nature adding that the school has space to plant the trees.
“Ngenia has adequate land to plant the seedlings and the students will be engaged to ensure that the trees are looked after and once they mature they will be transplanted in the 24 acre land of the school,” he said.
Warutere said that CEMASTEA’s partnership with the school has had a good impact where the school has a biogas system installed and the tree seedlings will go a long away in helping the institution in sustainability once they sell the seedlings to the community.
“The school has planted over 5,000 trees in five acres which the institution fetches firewood from to cook for the learners.” He noted.
By Felix Wanderi
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