The
Executive Director of the National Environment Agency (NEA) has said
environmental education, sensitization and awareness creation is one of the
basic tools needed in moulding schoolchildren, our future generation, to
shoulder and take responsibility of the destiny of their environment.
Reiterating
that the 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.
Ndey
Siren Bakurin recently made these remarks during the agency`s presentation of
assorted cleansing materials to over fifteen schools serving in the agency`s
schools environment Outreach programme.
She,
however, disclosed that creating linkages built on common understanding,
through diverse communication methods including focused group discussions and
field visits to schools, communities and other sectors can help one take
ownership of the environment and further spread the message on how to protect,
improve and preserve it.
The
collaborating schools that benefitted from NEA`s gesture were Talinding, Essau,
Wesley, Bakau-Newtown, Bakoteh-Proper, Sukuta, Brufut, Latri-Kunda Yeringanya,
Old Jeshwang, Brikama, Soktokoi, Berefet, St. Georges (URR) Lower Basic Schools
and Armitage Senior Secondary School.
At
presentation ceremonies held at their respective school grounds, Mrs Bakurin
disclosed that environmental protection needs holistic efforts from all walks
of life to achieve any national sustainable development agenda.
She
pointed out that the importance of the Operation Clean the Nation (OCN),
Anti-littering Regulation and its social benefits are to create a positive
image of the country, boost tourism potentials of the nation, reduce the
incidence of vector-borne diseases especially malaria, and contribute to the
country`s attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs).
Mrs
Bakurin said her agency`s Schools Environment Outreach Programme aims to
inculcate environmental education knowledge and skills into the young
school-going children, as they in turn could serve as agents of change through
peers and or parents, in the community they stay and other areas.
“Environmental
protection calls for holistic action from all walks of life in our society,”
she emphasised.
Furthermore,
she stressed the importance of the prominent role schoolchildren and
mother-Clubs in schools play in disseminating information back to home
communities, thus catalyzing environmental action and behavioural change.
The
presentation was marred by a conducted tour of the school premises including
the school gardens, orchards, banana plantations, classrooms, toilets and kitchens.
She
also met some members of school mother clubs who are always helpful in school
operations.
At
the presentation grounds at Essau Lower Basic School in the North Bank Region,
she thanked the school headmaster, staff and the school environment coordinator,
Awa Bah, for what she described as dedication and willingness to the
development of the school`s environment agenda.
She
revealed that the cleansing materials could by extension serve as teaching
aids.
In
receiving the assorted cleansing materials on behalf of the school, Headmaster
Lamin Njai thanked the NEA for yet again showing their magnanimity to his
school and the community of Essau.
At
Old Jeshwang Lower Basic, the NEA boss and entourage were received by the
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, NEA Executive Director reiterated for the sustainable
utilization of our natural resources and taking ownership of the environment.
Paying
tribute and appreciations to the NEA, Mistress Sanneh noted with confidence
that 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 the Executive Director
accompanied senior programme officer Aji Binta Kinteh and her Environmental
Education and Communication team.
Mr
Jammeh expressed his profound appreciation to the agency and promised to
transform and uplift the face of the school to an environmental friendly one
matching towards sustainable development.
In
the capital city of Banjul, Wesley Lower Basic school was the next stop and the
presentation team were met on arrival by the Headmistress Mrs Armisticia 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
long outstanding 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 stakeholders to take ownership of the
environment as the only home for mankind.
