Amanzimtoti Primary School is celebrating a big win when it comes to sustainable futures after being selected for an Eco-Schools prize!
Amanzimtoti, South Africa (12 February 2024) — Schools around the country have given Amanzimtoti Primary School a big (green) thumbs up after the school was announced as an Eco-Schools prize winner! This is a big win not only as far as eco-conscious accolades go, but also as one that recognises hopeful and sustainable futures in South Africa.
Thanks to the efforts of learners, teachers and the eco-committee who made the EnviroClub (Grade 4-7) a force of growth, the learners will soon sit back and reap the fruits of their care in 2023 when they receive their award from WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) later this year.
According to WESSA, in 2023 the Amanzimtoti learners had a super successful set of eco-experiences, from taking care of gardens to harvesting fruit in their fruit forest.
“They harvested 50 mielies, some wonderfully ‘wonky’ carrots, a bag of bans and a crop of ripening chillies,” WESSA shared. Beyond this, the eco-committee helped involve the whole school in sustainability projects.
“Each school in the Eco-Schools programme has action plans to address sustainability issues within their school or community, and Amanzimtoti Primary’s food garden project has been thriving for years. They integrated the vegetable garden into their curriculum for oudtoor lessons, promote nutrition and support those in need.”
Being an Eco-School means learning about food gardens, food security, your impact on your environment and the environment’s impact on you! In South Africa, over 4500 schools across the country have been part of the programme where well over a million students are impacted annually. While Eco-Schools are an international effort part of the Foundation for Environmental Education, the ones in South Africa are overseen by WESSA, which implemented this kind of green learning in SA.
Meanwhile, in other exciting news for Eco-Schools, hundreds are set to unite through a special mission: ‘The Bread Tags for Wheelchair Challenge’. Through the challenge, learners across the country will put their collecting skills to the test in a massive effort to help the Sweethearts Foundation fund wheelchairs!
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