The OANDO Foundation has advised that environmental education will help address Nigeria’s waste problems.
A statement by the foundation explained that through its Clean Our World project, which started in 2020 in collaboration with Sumitomo Chemical Japan, it took the gospel of environmental education, sanitation and recycling to seven schools across three communities.
It read, “The project expanded to 12 schools in five communities in the second phase, and 24 schools in 10 communities in the third phase that ended in July.”
Head of OANDO Foundation, Adekanla Adegoke, said the foundation developed a climate action syllabus and lesson plans for deployment in schools.
She revealed that learning resources were developed in collaboration with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and Green Hub Africa.
Adegoke added that the syllabus would prepare State Education Managers, teachers, pupils and their host communities for a future impacted by climate change.
“COW focuses on increasing the pupils awareness and understanding of the long term effects of climate change and the sustainable actions required, whether it be waste management, recycling, upcycling or the green jobs to secure not only their future but indeed the world,” she said.
Programme Manager, OANDO Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh, said the syllabus would help standardize environmental education in Lagos State.
She said, “The last three phases have been exciting, starting from seven schools and now 24 schools across Lagos State.
“We are happy with the syllabus and the lesson plans that have been launched today. Our aim is to standardize the teaching of environmental education across all the schools in Lagos State.
“That way, there’s strength in numbers. The more children know, the more they are able change behaviours that would help preserve our environment.”
Speaking of the importance of the COW project, Board Secretary, Lagos SUBEB, Mr Hakeem Lamidi, underscored the significance of environmental sustainability education in shaping responsible citizens.
On her part, the Permanent Board Member in charge of Co-Curricular activities, Lagos SUBEB, Mrs. Sherifat Adedoyin, thanked the OANDO Foundation and its partners for catching the pupils young and promised to support the use of the syllabus across public schools in the state.
