2018 WESSA Annual Review

ECO-SCHOOLS

In 2017/2018:

cade awards have been part of the pro- gramme for over 10 years. Shea O’Con- nor Combined School in Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal have been in the pro- gramme for 14 years and achieved their Gold Decade award for 2017. A number of learners that were in- volved in the Eco-Schools Programme have gone on to study environmental degrees. (e.g. Honours in Environmen- tal Sciencies, Rhodes University; BA in Environmental and Life Sciences, UKZN; Masters in Environmental Sciences spe- cializing in Tourism, UKZN; Degree in Geography and Environmental Scienc- es, UKZN). One of our ardent Ecoschools teachers, Ms Mkhabela from Shea O’ Conner Schools went on herself to do her Masters in Environmental Educa- tion at Rhodes University as part of her personal and professional development as a teacher. Through the Eco-Schools for Ecosystems project (ES4ES), funded by RMB, within 2 years (starting 2015 to 2017) Shea O’ Conner restored the wet- land on their school ground to now be an outdoor learning environment. They removed alien trees and plants to lower the use of water in the area and they even managed to get sponsorship to replace their toilets. This is an exam- ple where they embraced the support WESSA Eco-Schools could provide. Be- cause of passionate teachers, learn- ers and community involvement, they achieved amazing results.

1 018 500 learners participated in Eco-Schools

1 358 schools registered as an Eco-School

40 740 teachers involved with Eco-Schools

28 funders and partners for Eco-Schools

460 awards received for Eco-Schools

1556 environmental projects

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