TERI to Educate School Children under the “Yamuna Action Plan Phase - 2”

New Delhi, India, June 03, 2007 --(PR.com)-- The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), with support from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the Public Works Department (W/S and sanitation department), Government of Haryana, initiated the 'School health and hygiene programme' under the Yamuna Action Plan (Phase 2). This school education programme on health, hygiene, and sanitation was launched in Gurgaon, Sonepat, and Panipat, to bring about greater awareness and create interest and concern for environment, especially the deteriorating River Yamuna.

The three-year programme was initiated in more than 15 schools in these towns with objective to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices towards health, hygiene, and sanitation in schools and to educate students on environment and conservation related problems. The aim is also to build the capacity of students and school staff on such issues and to encourage the general public to follow the example of schoolchildren in adopting better health, hygiene, and sanitation practices

The various issues like water conservation, safe drinking water facility, provision of clean, safe and separate toilets for girls and boys, adequate dustbins for solid waste segregation at source, regular health checkups and referral services, immunization programme and setting up of water conservation and collection techniques are sought to be achieved through regular activities with the members of the eco-club of the targeted schools. The various activities include.

-Waste segregation at school level
-Implementing the 3Rs of waste management (reduction, reuse, and recycling) at the school level
-Vermicomposting
-Water purification
-Water conservation
-Awareness on personal hygiene and sanitation through competitions and other hands-on activities

Workshops for teachers and students were also organized keeping in mind the objective to educate them on the concerned issues and sensitization. During the workshop, a quiz was also carried out. The main purpose of organizing the quiz was to assess the knowledge and awareness level of students on health, sanitation and environment issues. To encourage them, they were awarded with prizes for answering the quiz correctly. To strengthen the eco-clubs setup under the programmes the schools were provided with bulletin boards, plants and vermicompost. Also to spread the message across the students on the issue the wall calendar and stickers mentioning it was displayed on the prominent places across the school campus.

Painting competitions and debates were held to encourage the students to express their feelings on the subject. The topics for the painting competition were Swach Paryavaran and Jal hi jeevan hai, while the theme for the debate was Yamuna Nadi: Kal aur Aaj. The winners of the competition will be awarded during the workshop to be held in the month of July to give them the hands on experience of conducting water test and vermicomposting.

The students were also encouraged to participate at the Green Olympiad, an annual event to be organised by TERI, in the month of September 2007, an eagerly fought contest among students who have a passion for environment and conservation issues.

Media contact:

Rajiv Chhibber - Phone: 2468 2100 Fax: 2468 2144, Mob – 9810426698 / rajivc@teri.res.in

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