12 Aug 2018

Bonatla Primary School in Maun has started enjoying positive results of an environmental education project that was implemented by Save Wildlife Conservation Fund.

The project, which was implemented in 2015, is aimed at sensitising pupils about the importance of environmental conservation. Save Wildlife Conservation Fund is a non-profit organisation, which campaigns specifically for the sustainable conservation of nature and protection of its species.

The organisation provides children and youth in and around wildlife areas with conservation-based education for the long-term protection of their own environment and wildlife.

A senior teacher from Bonatla, Ms Tachinya Chilume confirmed in an interview that indeed the project had a positive impact and added value to pupils’ education and learning and thanked the organisation for the good gesture.

She explained that since the implementation of the project, pupils perform well in school activities related to environmental education, revealing that they better understand the complex natural systems and are also eager to conserve and protect natural resources.

Ms Chilume, who coordinated the project at the school, also noted that academic performance of the students had improved drastically, especially in upper classes where most of the pupils were engaged in the project.

She appreciated efforts by both the organisation and the Ministry of Basic Education in ensuring that all students are equipped with the basics of environmental education.

She said in schools across the country, there is Environmental Science subject that adds value to the environmental aspect of students’ upbringing in school and appreciated efforts by Save Wildlife to augment government efforts.

Environmental education manager from Save Wildlife Conservation Fund, Ms Keneilwe Kgobathe said the company had invested P35 000 in the environmental education project at Bonatla Primary School.

She noted that the idea was to teach pupils about the importance of conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources around them through lessons and presentations.

Ms Kgobathe further revealed that in 2017, the company spent P25 000 on a trip to the Kgalagadi District for a programme dubbed: ‘Life in the Wilderness Game Drive and Environmental Education Tour’ for about 40 learners from the school.

She also stated that they had another excursion to Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta this year, where students were drilled on supporting scientific studies and wildlife research including animal monitoring as well as the development of human-wildlife conflict mitigation measures.

‘’Indeed, we have experienced good results at the school through the project and we wish to continue with them and also expand it to other schools in Maun,’’ said Ms Kgobathe ENDS