AKU empowers secondary students as long-term agents for environmental protection

Dar es Salaam. In promoting sustainability and fostering good environmental conservation practices, Aga Khan University (AKU) has turned to students and instilled a habit of caring for the environment from a young age.

AKU believes that environmentally aware and empowered youths are potentially the greatest agents of change for the long-term protection and stewardship of the environment.

Thus, they say, environmental education that promotes such change will enable the youths to have a greater voice on environmental issues if effectively implemented.

Environmental education, according to experts, is a critical aspect of learning that instills respect, admiration, and care for the natural world in children.

As such, they believe it is vital that school children are taught and mobilized about the importance of conserving and protecting the environment at an early age.

“Environmental education helps children to understand the importance of preserving our natural resources and provides them with the tools to become responsible environmental stewards,” said environmental enthusiast and expert Dr Moses Miyuwili.

In doing so, the university on June 5, 2024, empowered Form Two students from Jangwani Girls' Secondary School in Dar es Salaam. The training was conducted by the AKU student environmental club, accompanied by tree planting at the school.

This was part of the celebration of World Environment Day, which is celebrated annually on June 5.

Speaking on behalf of the AKU club, Ms Adelphina Kimario, at the event, said they went to Jangwani to commemorate World Environment Day. However, through this day, it was a great opportunity to discuss the current state of the environment.

"We want to encourage them to care for the environment from a young age because if you reach students, you will quickly convey the message to a large group of people, which is why we came here to join our colleagues," said Kimario.

She added, "We have empowered them with environmental education both theoretically and practically by planting trees together, which they will nurture and ensure they grow well," said Ms. Kimario.

A Form Two student from the school, Isfahan Bugenyi, thanked the University for the effort, saying that it showed the importance of collaboration and valuing the environment.

"The training we received increases our skills and enhances the overall management of our school concerning environmental conservation. It will help us in the overall issue of environmental conservation," said Bugenyi.

The school's teacher, Mr George Mapunjo, said AKU has been their major partner, collaborating in various educational and environmental aspects, and it is not the first time the university has visited the school.

"It is important to remind ourselves as a community that the environment is the unique thing that helps us humans; if it is not conserved, our health will deteriorate. World Environment Day must be celebrated practically, including planting trees as we have done today with our colleagues from AKU," said Mr Mapunjo.