WESSA / WWF-SA ECO-SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

What is an Eco-School?

A school that has made a commitment to continuously improve its environmental performance.

Working towards:

•better environmental learning

•better environmental management

The Kirstenbosch Fynbos Eco-Schools node:

• Was established in 2006

• Is funded by the TMF through WWF

• Is coordinated and administered by the Kirstenbosch Environmental Education Programme at the Gold Fields EE Centre

Eco-Schools in South Africa need to

choose one theme each year:

Curriculum

Resource

Use

Local and Global issues

Nature & Biodiversity

Community& Heritage

Healthy

LivingAudit &

Act

Evaluate &

review

7 steps to become an Eco-School

1. Establish an Eco-committee

2. Eco-audit (checklists)

3. Choose your theme/s

4. Develop an Eco-Code

5. Develop lesson plans

6. Take action

7. Report and share

The Eco-committee should have

learners involved

Learners should lead the process!

In 2006, we worked with five Primary Schools in the Mitchell’s Plain area:

West End PS

Wespoort PS

Northwood PS

Meadowridge PS

Montagu Drive PS

Four of the five schools achieved their Green Flag status at the end of 2006.

In 2007, we added five primary schools in Hanover Park, Lavender Hill and Lotus River.

Hillwood PS

Blomvlei PS

Morgenson PS

Stephen Road PS

Prince George Drive PS

In 2008, we added more schools from Belhar and Mfuleni.

Gardenia PSNyameko PSBalvenie PSMeadowridge PS

Programme structure pre 2008

• Previously, schools worked on three themes for a year.

• They will then receive a Green Flag if they submitted successful portfolios.

• This process was repeated until they received an International Green Flag in their fifth year.

• The experience over the past years informed the simplification of the themes and the award system.

• The new system was implemented in 2008 and is in accordance with the international framework.

• The new system allow the schools to move through the process of transformation to better environmental management and learning at a more realistic pace.

Programme structure post 2008

Year in which Report is presented

Requirements Award

Year 1 Project and lessons on 1 Theme Bronze Certificate

Year 2 Project and lessons on 2 themes (including theme from Year 1)

Silver Certificate

Year 3 Project and lessons on 3 Themes (including themes from Years 1 - 2)

Green Flag

Year 4 Project and lessons on 4 Themes (including themes from Years 1 - 3)

Gold Certificate

Year 5 Project and lessons on 5 Themes (including themes from Years 1 - 4)

International Flag

After Year 5 Project and lessons on special ThemesEg Climate Change, Wetlands, Eco-foot-printing etc..

Special Merit

Nature and Biodiversity

Healthy living – feeding scheme and veggie gardens

Local and Global Issues: removal of invasive alien plants from an open area

Community and Heritage

Resource Use

Institutionalizing Eco-Schools

• At the end of the funded period in 2008, the decision was made to institutionalize the programme.

• The Eco-Schools was then placed into my key performance areas (KPA’s) after discussing it with my supervisor.

• The idea of a “Cluster model” was introduced to educators at the first node meeting on the 30th January 2009.

• The concept and educators concerns about the model were thoroughly discussed and eventually unanimously accepted.

“Cluster Model”

• Schools were divided into two clusters (Mitchell’s Plain area) and (Hanover Park Lavender Hill and Lotus River area).

• This was done to create communities of environmental education practice.

• The idea was to establish a self-sustaining programme with minimal mentoring required.

• The more experienced educators could provide support and guidance.

• I would then assume a more co-ordinating and monitoring role within each cluster.

Cluster meeting at Hillwood

Educators from Hillwood, Morgenson, Prince George and Stephen Road Primary Schools.

• Educators are sharing common successes and challenges at their schools.

• Learning from one another through this.

• Are able to support one another and share resources and experience.

• They appear to becoming communities of practice.

• Every school receives equal support from SANBI and equal access to resources.

Successes of the cluster model

Kirstenbosch Fynbos Node

• Teachers received a variety of resources.• A “Biodiversity and resources” workshop was facilitated by Michelle Sholto-Douglas of Footprints

• Prince George Primary presented their work at the Tunza African Children’s Environmental Conference in Durban.• Morgenson Primary School presented their work at the Fynbos Forum conference.

Challenges of the cluster model

• Not all schools are attending the meetings.

• Some schools did not start the 2009 programme on their own; they seemed to initially require pressure and full support.

• A few schools may need additional support and pressure (outside of the cluster model).

• Some schools are not proactive in asking for support and resources.

Vision “Building Capacity for Biodiversity”

MissionTo inspire and enable people from all walks of life to take responsibility for their environment.

Thank you