WESSA Eco Schools Brochure March 2018

ECO-SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING

in the classroom

Eco-Schools is an international programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), developed to support environmental learning in the classroom . The programme aims to create awareness and action around social and environmental sustainability in schools and support Education for Sustainable Development in the national curriculum. With over 50% of the content in all CAPS subjects being environmental in nature, Eco-Schools makes a positive contribution towards improving education in South Africa . The programme is active in almost 70 countries around the world and has been implemented in South Africa since 2003 by WESSA. The Eco-Schools programme is well placed to support teachers at a local level , a key objective for achieving educational quality. Teachers who participate in the Fundisa for Change training receive ongoing support when undertaking new teaching methods, in addition to resources, such as the WESSA EnviroKids magazine. By partnering with higher education institutions we are able to deliver high quality materials, which are also endorsed by the Department of Basic Education.

IMPROVING EDUCATION in South Africa

ECO-SCHOOLS VALUES

Combine learning with hands-on experiences for an all inclusive, participatory approach. Involve learners, educators, sta and the community.

Learners encourage and enable their communities to lead more sustainable, environmentally- responsible lives by applying their knowledge at home. Challenge learners to engage in environmental problems towards tangible results. Learners realise that they can make a di erence.

INCLUDE EVERYONE

IMPROVE ATTITUDES

Instil a sense of responsibility and cultivate a sustainable mind-set. Learners set an example for family and friends.

INVOLVE COMMUNITIES

MOTIVATE

benefits of

Designing, planning and carrying out an extended project that produces a publicly-exhibited output (such as a product, publication or presentation) leads to a deeper understanding of the world we live in, and the development of a range of critical skills that help young people learn how to achieve a sustainable future. The Eco-Schools Seven Steps methodology is a series of carefully engineered measures to assist schools in maximising the success of their Eco-School ambitions. While the Seven Steps and the Seven-Step methodology are the most important aspect of the Eco-Schools programme, the Eco-Schools Themes , linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), are underpinned by the Eco-Schools methodology, giving the programme even more structure. PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

WRITE AN ECO-CODE

FORM AN ECO-COMMITTEE

DO AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

STEPS

DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN

INFORM & INVOLVE OTHERS

MONITOR & EVALUATE

LINK TO THE CURRICULUM

MARINE & COAST

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

BIODIVERSITY & NATURE

WATER

ENERGY

TRANSPORT

SCHOOL GROUNDS

CLIMATE CHANGE

COMMUNITY & HERITAGE

WASTE

ECO-TOURISM

ECO-SCHOOLS AWARDS

The Eco ‐ Schools South Africa award system is gradational and allows for schools to develop action projects and learning programmes and to sustain these over a five-year improvement process. Schools are encouraged to work slowly through the process of transformation to better environmental management and learning by working through the award process in a systematic and thoughtful way. Projects and themes gradually increase as your award level ascends, and schools are given the opportunity to support other schools with environmental projects. Schools may register throughout the year, and submit evidence for an award within 8-12 months of registration.

CONTACT US

to partner with us in bringing about transformation in schools, and investing in the development of our youth for a more sustainable future.

C indy-Lee Cloete

Programme Manager: Eco-Schools Cell 064 752 0598 Email cindy.cloete@wessa.co.za www.wessa.org.za