The County Directorate of Climate Change together with Expertise France kicked off a waste separation sensitization drive for schools to educate children on the importance of waste segregation at source to aid the waste management process.
Initiating this drive under the school greening project the directorate has introduced a solution that guides students in the disposal of waste and packaging in the correct bin after use. The initiative engages young people in tree-planting and recycling of organic and inorganic waste, increasing forest cover and providing a purer city environment.
Commenting on the initiative Mr. Evans Gichana, Director for climate change said, “As a responsible directorate, the county government recognizes the importance of waste segregation and understands its role in this context to bring about a behavioral change amongst school children. We wish to create awareness and drive what is a simple, positive call to action that every individual can undertake thereby creating a deeper impact.”
The sensitization of Waste management and waste segregation is a county program that endeavors to promote, inculcate and instill the habit of responsible waste segregation at source and work with the households and school.
Having implemented a pilot project on waste segregation with the youths at Ondiek Estate in Kisumu Central, the directorate through Expertise France co-opted nearby schools including St. Mathew’s Ondiek Primary School, being the first school to be targeted and supported with waste separation bins for the students to practice waste segregation, While households were covered by the pilot program the second phase seeks to target schools, as they are among the major contributors of waste.
The headteacher Mrs. Lorna Okech was honored to have the whole school involved in waste management and school greening activities having been the first school to initiate the program.
“As a school, we are sincerely grateful for the energy and continuous dedication to empowering the next generation to tackle the world’s environmental challenges and I hope they serve to inspire others in doing the same.”
Waste segregation is the sorting and separation of waste to facilitate recycling and correct onward disposal. Raising awareness through formal education ensures effective and proper solid waste management towards sustainability which requires lasting efforts.
The waste segregation in schools seeks to promote schools greening programs that aims to prepare every learner to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development.
Upon successful implementation of the pilot project, there are plans to roll out sensitization drive in every major urban centre across the county.
