ECHO launches “Climate Change” in schools

May 13, 2009 News

The Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) in collaboration with PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Education has officially launched its ‘School in Action Against Climate Change’ programme.
This programme aims at giving children a forum to take leadership on environmental issues in their school communities and to be young champions of positive environmental change.
At the launching ceremony, which took place on Monday at the St. Margaret’s Primary School, Executive Director of ECHO, Royston King, said that the project has three platforms.
The first phase involves consultations with key stakeholders, including members of the PTAs, teachers, and community leaders.
He explained that a major aspect of this phase is training teachers who will be identified as coaches to help the children who will be part of the environmental clubs in schools.
The next phase deals with commitment as the schools which were selected to participate in the project are required to sign on to an agreement with ECHO.
The agreement stipulates that they must restrict the use of plastic and Styrofoam in their schools.
These schools will pursue a vigorous education drive to encourage children to use alternative materials and to respect the natural environment.
The third phase is the hardware phase, where garbage receptacles and water facilities will be installed in selected schools. Environmental clubs will also be installed in these schools.
According to King, each club will have about 25 children, one of whom will be selected as the leader.
The clubs would be involved in among other things, environmental competitions, discussions, debates and tours to different parts of the country to see what Guyana is doing to help in the fight climate change.
He noted that all members of the clubs would be given badges so that they can be easily identified as a champion of the environment.
According to King, the challenge with this and similar projects is sustainability.
“However, we have been working with members of the business community and other interested persons to sponsor any one or two of the environmental clubs. Also, I should let you know that we have been receiving tremendous support from PAHO/WHO,” King said.
It was also noted that the project would be extended to other communities.
“With the excessive use of plastic and Styrofoam, improper disposal of waste and a host of other negative behaviour and attitudes towards our environment, our surroundings continue to be polluted and unhealthy. We need to step back and begin to think of ways to change this environmental mess we have found ourselves in,” King told the gathering.
He added that the one-way persons can care for the environment, is to be good stewards of it; and to see the health of the natural environment of the local community as a serious personal responsibility.

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ECHO launches “Climate Change” in schools

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