The
executive director of the National Environment Agency (NEA) has said that
environmental education and sensitisation is one of the basic tools needed in
molding school children to take responsibility of the destiny of the
environment.
Ndey
Siren Bakurin said transfer of knowledge into school children in particular and
the public at large on sound environmental management and sustainable
development guarantees a healthy environment for everyone.
She
recently made these remarks during NEA’s presentation of assorted cleansing
materials to more than 15 schools through its schools environment outreach
programme.
She
disclosed that creating linkages built on common understanding, through diverse
communication methods including focus group discussions and field visits to
schools and communities, can help one to take ownership of the environment and
further spread the message on how to protect, improve and preserve it.
The
schools that benefitted from NEA’s gesture were Talinding, Essau, Wesley, Bakau
Newtown, Bakoteh-Proper, Sukuta, Brufut, Latrikunda Yeringanya, Old Jeshwang,
Brikama, Sotokoi, Berefet, St George’s lower basic schools and Armitage Senior
Secondary School.
At
the presentation ceremonies held at the respective school grounds, Mrs Bakurin
disclosed that environmental protection needs holistic efforts from all walks
of life.
She
also pointed out the importance of the Operations Clean the Nation (OCN),
anti-littering regulation and its social benefits are to create a positive
image, boost tourism potentials, and reduce the incidence of vector-borne
diseases such as malaria in The Gambia.
Madam
Bakurin said NEA’s schools environment outreach programme aims to inculcate
environmental education knowledge and skills into the young school going
children as they, in turn, can serve as agents of change.
Furthermore,
she underlined the prominent role school children and mothers club in schools
play in disseminating information in the communities, thus catalysing
environmental action and behavioural change.
The
presentations to schools also witnessed a conducted tour of the school premises
including the school gardens and orchards.
Madam
Bakurin also met some members of the various schools’ mothers club who she said
are always helpful in school operations.
At
the presentation ground at Essau Lower Basic School in North Bank Region, NEA
executive director thanked the school headmaster, staff and the school
environment coordinator for what she described as dedicative and willingness to
the development of the school’s environment agenda.
She
revealed that the cleansing materials can, by extension, serve as teaching
aids.
In
receiving the assorted cleansing materials on behalf of the school, Headmaster
Lamin Njai thanked the NEA for showing its magnanimity to his school and the
community of Essau.
At
Old Jeshwang Lower Basic, the NEA boss and entourage were received by
Headmistress Sainbou Sanneh, the school’s environment coordinator Modou Lamin
Badjie, school cluster monitor from MoBSE and members of staff.
In
handing over the items, Madam Bakurin called for the sustainable utilisation of
natural resources and taking ownership of the environment.
Old
Jeshwang Lower Basic School Headmistress Sanneh paid tribute and appreciation
to the NEA, saying the availability of such cleansing materials would boost
their morals and efforts in keeping the school environment clean and
greener.
Headmaster
Essa Jammeh and the school’s environment coordinator Ismaila Camara of Sotokoi
Lower Basic School in the West Coast Region received NEA executive director
accompanied by senior programme officer Aji Binta Kinteh and the NEA
environmental education and communication team.
Mr
Jammeh expressed profound appreciation to the agency and promised to transform
and uplift the face of the school to an environmental friendly one.
At
Banjul, in Wesley Lower Basic school, the NEA team was received by the
headmistress, Armisdicia Jones, and the school’s environment coordinator,
Abdoulie Joof.
At
Sukuta Lower Basic, the NEA team was welcomed by the Headmaster Kebba Conteh,
school environment coordinator Lamin Daffeh and cross-section of members of
staff.
At
Brufut Lower Basic School in the WCR, the deputy headmaster Malamin Badjie and
the school environment coordinator George Trawally cheered the NEA team into
the school.
At
all these presentations, the NEA boss buttressed her agency’s stance to defend
the environment and called on the schools to take ownership of the environment
as the only home for mankind.
