WWF launches Green Schools Programme

Youth will be contributing towards saving national and international environment.

ISLAMABAD: In a novel venture the future of the country’s environment is being handed over to the care of the younger generation.

As custodians of the natural resources of the country, the youth will be contributing towards saving the national and international environment as they become active members of the Worldwide Fund for Nature  (WWF).

The WWF Pakistan has launched the ‘Green School’ certification model to mark its 40 years of environmental awareness and education in the country. It is aimed at enhancing public awareness by engaging the students in environmental education activities.

The programme in its pilot stage will involve 10 schools, of which seven have already been registered. The programme will enable its students to become active members of the worldwide environmental awareness and protection campaign. These activities include:

— Spellathon which is a nation-wide environment spelling contest that will familiarise students with the environmental issues.

— Annual travelling nature carnival in which student will be taken on tour to four major cities to involve them in environmental protection activities.

— Green schools and individual membership will make all student members of WWF to defend the environment.

— Green schools and eco-internship programme that consists of six motivating sessions aimed at informing students about challenges to the ecosystem, eco-dynamics and sustainable solutions with hands on activities and exposure visits.

— Annual thematic campaigns in which the WWF Pakistan will assist the green schools to run at least three selected activities in school thematic annual environmental campaigns including ‘Say No to ‘Plastic Bags’, ‘Plant Trees’, and ‘Water Conservation’ across the school.

— Annual environment show time which will hold interactive screening of English and Urdu documentaries and video films.

— Wild-life photography workshops under which “In School Nature Photography” will be organised.

— Annual environment day will feature thematic play performances, quiz competitions, and fashion show.

— Intra-Green School competitions under which annual competitions will be held.

— Green monitors will be appointed every month who will monitor green activities.

— Green speakers corner will be reserved in the school as free zone to express green views.

Students in each school can become member by paying an annual fee of Rs1,020 after which they will be entitled to a complementary membership of WWF Pakistan with a number of benefits.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2010.