Free State eco-schools will be awarded green flags
Today’s curricula requires the teaching of environmentally related topics such as climate change, food security, national and cultural identity, interaction with nature and managing waste. It is for this reason that the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs will be hosting 2021/22 Eco-Schools Awards at Bon Hotel on the 10th March 2022.
Eco-Schools is an international programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that was developed to support environmental learning in the classroom. The programme is active in all most seventy countries around the world and has been implemented in South Africa since 2003 by WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa).
A total of fifty five (55) schools throughout the Free State from five districts of the municipalities will receive different awards depending on where they are on the programme and how long they have been part of the programme. Trophies will also be awarded to schools that have been consistent in the programme for five (5) and ten (10) years respectively.
In his budget vote speech, the MEC for DESTEA, Makalo Mohale said, “every living organism relies on Good air, good water and good earth for survival. The health of the planet influences our own personal health and well-being, as well as that of our families, communities, societies and economies. The interdependence of society, economy and environment is the foundation of the concept of sustainable development.”
Through this programme, young people will experience a sense of achievement at being able to contribute towards the environmental management policies of their schools, ultimately steering them towards certification and the prestige which comes with being awarded a Green Flag.
The media is invited as follows:
Date: 10 March 2022
Venue: Bon Hotel
Time: 09h00
Media enquiries:
Kagisho Leteane
Tel: 051 400 9477
E-mail: leteank@destea.gov.za
