NINE schools in Honiara will be taking part in the eco-school 3Rs project that was launched in Honiara yesterday.
Theme of the project is ‘Eco-School for a cleaner Solomon Islands.’
The project was part of the Japanese technical cooperation project for Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management (J-PRISM Project).
The program was part of a line of activities focusing on the 3Rs (REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE) that had started in 2012.
Schools are expected to start implementing activities based on five components namely, conservation and biodiversity, 3Rs waste minimisation, school clean up, climate change mitigation and awareness raising.
The five components are aimed at educating the younger generation and teachers with skills and knowledge to become environment stewards.
Director of environmental health within the ministry Tom Nanau said this project is vital to impart the message on solid waste management in teachers and students for they are the future generation of this country.
“It is important that such program is introduced in schools because this is where students can learn and practice what is learnt. Our children are the future of this country therefore it is important to groom and mentor them about proper solid waste management. Having a proper solid waste management will leads to a good environmental health,” Mr Nanau said.
He said this is the period in life where children can consume any given information that can form the basis for making the right decisions in their lives.
Mr Nanua added once students are fed with these very important information, this will change the way they behave as well as assisting relevant authorities like the ministry of health, HCC and other stake holders in improving solid waste management within homes, communities and the city.
Mr Nanau said schools are the best institutions to support relevant authorities with solid waste management and environmental health issues.
“If the younger generation are not groomed and mentored now it will be like a time bomb for the future of this country where waste pollutes the environment creating a health risk for the entire population.
“So it is important the younger generation is taught about the importance of solid waste management to prevent the environmental health risks associated with mismanagement of solid waste management,” Mr Nanau said.
He called on all teachers to work together with the ministry of health, HCC and other stakeholders to reach out to students in this project to ensure this very important issue on solid waste management sinks into children’s behaviour and attitude for the betterment of this country.
Schools taking part in this program includes Koloale school, St.Nicholas school, Mbua Valley school, Palm Drive school, Florence Young school, Mbokonavera school, Vura school, Lau Valley school and Panatina school.
During the launch yesterday, staff of these schools were presented with certificates for the trainings they undertook on solid waste management over the past years.
These schools are expected to start off with their action plan for the Eco-School 3Rs project following the launch.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA
