Uchechukwu Nnaike
Oando Foundation recently concluded the third phase of its Clean Our World (COW III) with the launch of a syllabus and lesson plan to teach primary school pupils about the environment.
The COW project, executed in conjunction with Sumitomo Chemicals, was aimed at educating children about environmental issues that they might be experiencing, but are too young to understand.
The project was also to help them understand the various issues around the environment, and to equip them with practical skills to become more responsible in the way they engage with the environment, to sustain the environment.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the SUBEB Hall, Lagos, the head of the foundation, Ms. Adekanla Adegoke, said the third phase was executed in 24 primary schools in Lagos State.
“What we have done over a space of three years is we learnt what works by running the pilot. We have learnt how to train the teachers, what the teachers need to understand and what standard they need to adhere to.”
According to her, so far the project has impacted the lives of over 26,000 stakeholders, adding that 70,000 kg of waste plastics were collected and recycled or upcycled through different providers, while over 250 master trainers and stakeholders were trained to replicate the practices across the state.
Adegoke said the syllabus and lesson plan were launched to standardise the teaching of environmental education across all primary schools in the state to equip more children with the right knowledge that will bring about a positive attitude towards the environment.
She said the future plan is to also replicate the standard across the country.
The SUBEB Board Secretary, Mr. Lamidi Akeem, commended the foundation and its partners for teaching school children how to turn waste to wealth and for complementing government’s efforts in environmental education.
He said though the state’s scheme of work has some environmental concepts, the foundation introduced some practical elements in the new syllabus.
The event also featured the presentation of prizes to the best performing schools. Oluwaloghbon Primary School came first; Dele Ajomale Primary School came second, while Isaga Close Primary School came third.
