In order to attain the government target of 15 billion trees by 2032, the Ministry of Education in partnership with KCB and the Linda Mazingira Initiative has earmarked schools and riverbanks in Teso North sub-county for the tree planting initiative aimed at mitigating the harsh effect of climate change.
Speaking during the tree planting exercise at Kamuriai and Kolanya comprehensive schools, the TSC Sub County Director Teso North, Bernard Wabwoba said that the tree planting exercise done at Kamuriai was in fulfillment of the government of Kenya directives and also in line with the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) grade 6 ‘Environmental Conservation’ unit which advocates for showing love for mother nature.
“We decided to use schools to preach the gospel of environmental conservation owing to the fact that schools have adequate land and it is easier for monitoring and nature the trees within the vicinity of the teachers,” said Wabwoba
At Kamuriai primary school, “shade us” is an overheard cry from struggling voices of learners appealing for friendly environment and cool breeze which favours learning.
His sentiments were echoed by the Linda Mazingira coordinator Patrick Ikwara who noted that Busia as a county has done very little in environmental conservation hence the need for urgent intervention to protect the water catchment areas besides countering the effects of climate change.
“Even though as a county we have tried tree cover to be at 10%, our forest cover is quite below the national rate,” said Ikwara.
He urged local administrators led by the area chiefs to sensitize the public on the importance on environmental conservation and discourage deforestation as it has been the leading contributor to acute water shortage within Teso north Sub County.
The school head, Ikomoli Boaz, applauded the move by the ministry to ensure schools are part of the environmental conservation campaign and urged learners to ensure growth of the planted trees.
The occasion saw over 2000 indigenous trees planted at Kolanya Boys and Kamuriai primary schools.
By Joel Okodoi
