WESSA Schools Programme Annual Report 2019/2020

Food waste is digested anaerobically to generate biogas, which is used to cook the learners’ food.

Indigenous tree planting around the school has improved the general scenery but also contributes towards mitigating environmental degradation and climate change. Hands-on investigation with our learners, discovering more about the biodiversity and ecosystems within the school and its surroundings, has achieved an increased appreciation and protection of nature. We established a bird habitat, coupled with bird feeders, which has noticeably increased bird species diversity within the school yard. Various cultural artefacts were collected and displayed as a way of preserving and educating learners about South Africa’s diverse culture and heritage . our strategy speaks to SDG 7 (affordable clean energy) and SDG 11 (sustainable communities). This reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and

Jiyana Secondary School 2019 eco-committee

another project that moulded flower vases using sand, wastepaper and cement. The Eco-learners generated income from selling items such as cushions and beaded food covers. During the platinum stage, Jiyana Secondary School Eco-learners mentored and assisted two other local schools, providing input and advice on

school – was awarded first position nationally – and fourth position internationally – in a competition with over 350,000 participants! Subsequently this same learner scooped the WESSA Youth award in 2019. FUTURE PLANS The Eco-team intends to explore and implement ways to reduce vehicle-related emissions in their locality. They will be taking a holistic approach, whereby all learners and educatorsaremobilisedtobeactively involved, when implementing environmental projects. The vision is to create an Eco-community in which community members would provide environmental awareness and take action to protect their environment.

how to develop e n v i r o n m e n t a l sustainability projects

– a food garden and eco-bricks.

Participation in the Young Reporters for the Environment Programme has improved the learners’ research- and reporting skills. In 2018, Ziphezihle Langa – a young reporter from the

Environmental

sustainability

and were accomplished through a sewing project, which used off-cuts, and entrepreneurship

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