NJA commits to environmental conversation

Nyasa Junior Academy (NJA) has challenged public and private schools in the country to include environmental and climate change topics in their institutions to assist government in fighting effects of climate change.

NJA director Rubina Hajat observed that learners could play a critical role in fighting effects of climate change if they were taught the importance of conserving the environment from their childhood.

Hajat made the remarks recently during activities organised to commemorate science at the school.

She said while government and other non-governmental organisations are doing their part, there is need for teaching and learning institutions to complement these efforts by inculcating the culture of conserving environment in the young ones.

According to her, NJA decided to hold the science fair to foster acquisition and transfer of the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour among learners with reference to the protection of the environment and sustainable development.

“We strongly believe that our children won’t have a better place to live in 10 years time if we don’t hold hands in reversing the trend at which the environment gets degraded. Fresh water will not be easy to find in the future. And that’s not what we, as parents, would wish to have for children or grandchildren; hence, our decision to start doing something to contribute to the fight against effects of climate change,” said Hajat.

She promised that her school will continue participating in the annual ‘tree-planting’ exercise as one of its contribution to the national efforts to mitigate effects of climate change.

NJA’s newly recruited headteacher from Scotland, Elizabeth Barton, observed that most developing countries are challenged by the nexus of environmental degradation and economic slowdown.

Barton, therefore, emphasised the need for authorities to intensify efforts to fight and mitigate effects of climate change.

“The world faces the threat of suffering effects of climate change such as floods and droughts, resulting in acute shortages of food if authorities do not intensify efforts [to fight and mitigate effects of climate change]. As such, leaders need to triple efforts in conserving the environment now,” she said.