MEC Johnson has hailed KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) schools which entered the Speech Contest Competition this year for their participation and role in raising awareness and capacity building on environmental issues in the province. The MEC was awarding winners during the awards ceremony held at Didima in the Drakensburg today, 25 February 2011.
The competition is a joint initiative of the KZN Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Department of Education in a bid to create an understanding of environmental and biodiversity management amongst the young generation. The theme for this year was "Species roles, One Planet, Securing our future" which is in line with the International year of Biodiversity. This theme targets a number of environmental issues and climate change is one of them, as it is an environmental issue that needs the society to be capacitated on.
The competition was divided into three categories:
- Grade 6 Speech: Learners had to submit and present a speech on the theme to a panel of judges, who in turn asked follow up questions and gave them scores.
- Grade 6 Art: Learners presented and submitted their art work to a panel of judges, who in turn asked follow up questions and scored them.
- Special School Art: Learners with special needs (disability) had to submit their art work to a panel of judges, and be scored according to the standard of their art work.
This year the learners and educators have shown special dedication to the competition and the environment as a whole, because of the extent of the research that was done on the topic. This was witnessed in the high quality and standard of work that was showcased during the competition.
The competition included the following capacity building processes:
- Curriculum-based materials development including a one-week lesson plan, training manual and learner workbook
- Professional development workshop for the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development (DAEARD) officials
- Professional developmentworkshops for teachers in each district
- Classroom implementation of theone-week lesson plan
- District-level inter-schools competitions
- Provincial competition
- Environmental event where winners form part of the proceedings
MEC Johnson congratulated educators on their hard work, preparing and assisting the learners on the topic and the learners for their dedication and ensuring that they make it through to the finalists. She said that what better way can we use to relay information either than to educate and pass information to the young generation so that they can also do the same. “Remember that we inherited the environment from our forefathers and it is incumbent upon us to nature it for the next generation hence I say that I am pleased by the participation of young people in this competition” said Johnson.
She added that the sustainability of the competition is vital, because children are a good source of transferring information and leaders of tomorrow.
Speech Contest Competition Winners 2011
Speech
1. Zamaqwabe Gumede: Imizikayifani Primary School – Uthungulu
2. Nonsikelelo Nkosi: Dundee Junior Secondary – Umzinyathi
3. SithabisoMwenda: Nkosiyethu Junior Secondary School-Zululand
4. YenziweMhlongo: Umfolozi Primary School-Umkhanyakude
Art
1. Anele Thwala: Sesikhona Primary School-Uthukela
2. Jarend Pillay: KwaDukuza Primary School-Ilembe
3. Nomcebo Jiyane: Enqoleni Primary – Uthungulu
Special Art
1. Thembinkosi Mntshintshi: Velelani Special School – Sisonke
2. Thobani Banda: Khulangolwazi LSEN School-Ethekwini
3. Brian Sibisi: Bambisizwe LSEN School – Amajuba
Prizes ranged from Green and Gold Environmental Blazers and globes for top achievers and other finalists walked away with Environmental booklets and Backpacks with goodies from sponsors.
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