The Kenya National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has been called upon to collaborate with educational institutions in imparting environmental conservation awareness to students.
The Chairman of the Umoja Kiamuringa Self-Help Environmental Group Nicholas Njeru suggested that NEMA should identify environmental threats in Embu County and involve school communities in addressing these issues.
“While NEMA holds a significant role in advocating for environmental cleanliness and protection, its involvement in the education sector has been limited,” he argued.
Njeru proposed that NEMA should establish a more robust presence at both county and national levels, engaging youth in environmental issues rather than intervening only in legal matters.
Additionally, he recommended NEMA initiate programs to work with primary and secondary school students during holidays, providing skills in environmental protection and educating them on identifying and combating pollution.
Njeru further advocated for mandatory School Environmental Clubs, funded by the government and working in collaboration with NEMA, to promote awareness and skills in environmental protection.
The environmental group, which operates tree seedling nurseries in Mbeti, encouraged tree planting and discourages the disposal or burning of plastics among pupils in neighbouring schools.
Njeru emphasized the need for NEMA to increase its presence in rural areas, where environmental threats often go unaddressed.
He pointed out the prevalence of dangerous open quarries in Kiamuringa, posing risks to schoolchildren.
“Embedding environmental education in schools will empower students to identify and report problems in their areas to teachers, parents, and guardians, facilitating smoother communication with NEMA,” Njeru stressed.
The activists also criticize NEMA’s perceived concentration on urban settings, emphasizing the importance of educating and involving young people in combating environmental abuses prevalent in Embu County.
By Robert Nyagah
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
