The Eco-Schools programme

This is being developed in South Africa as a school improvement initiative which aims at achieving sustainable environmental management. It is designed to encourage whole-school learning with the emphasis on improving the school environment. It is managed by WESSA, and is part of an international programme now running in 40 countries around the world designed to encourage curriculum based action for a healthy environment.

On payment of a registration fee of R260, schools receive a participation certificate, the Eco-Schools Toolkit, WESSA Club membership, and four issues each year of WESSA Environmental Club Newsletters and EnviroKids magazines. The schools are then guided and encouraged to audit aspects of the school environment, choose between one and three eco-themes, draft a school eco-code, take action involving the whole school and the wider community, and then develop a portfolio documenting the positive change in the school and surrounding community. Schools are assessed not in comparison to other schools, but according to the improvement within their particular enviroment.

The portfolios in the Limpopo province are submitted to a Limpopo task team that has representatives from the Department of Education, Limpopo Economic Development Enviroment and Tourism, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, WESSA and the various Eco-schools support nodes for assessment. Successful schools are awarded Eco-Schools status, receiving either an Eco-Schools flag or certificate which are internationally recognized and accredited, depending on the number of themes successfully taken. The whole programme has the potential to make a significant contribution to local communities by improving the school environment, encouraging schools to improve their adjacent environment, promoting sustainable development through building community ties and reducing litter and waste.

Lapalala Wilderness School supports eighteen schools at present:

Bokwidi Primary
Registered: 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Bronze Certificate.

Galakwinstroom Primary
Registered: 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Bronze Certificate.

Kgomoshiakwena Primary
Registered: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2006-Green Flag, 2007-Green Flag, 2008-Green Flag, 2009-Gold certificate.

Kitty Primary
Registered: 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2008-Silver Certificate, 2009-Green Flag.

Leubaneng Primary
Registered: 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Bronze certificate.

Mapala Primary
Registered: 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Bronze certificate

Mpepule Primary
Registered: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2006-Green Flag, 2007-Green Flag, 2008-Green Flag, 2009-Gold certificate.

Mashamaite High
Registered: 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2008-Silver Certificate, 2009-Green Flag.

Matlou Memorial Primary
Registered: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2006-Green Flag, 2007-Green Flag, 2008-Green Flag.

Marken Primary
Registered: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2006-Green Flag, 2007-Green Flag, 2008-Green Flag, 2009-Gold certificate.

Mushi Primary
Registered: 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Bronze certificate

Sekanekamoyi Primary
Registered: 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Gold certificate.

Nkidikitlana Primary
Registered: 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Gold certificate

Ntebeleng Primary
Registered: 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2008-Bronze, 2009-Silver certificate.

Reabilwe Primary
Registered: 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Bronze certificate.

Serema High
Registered: 2007, 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2008-Bronze, 2009-Green Flag.

Supi Primary
Registered: 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2009-Bronze certificate.

Serupa Primary
Registered: 2008, 2009
Eco-Schools Award: 2008-Bronze, 2009-Silver certificate.