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The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is spearheading a school greening initiative as part of the climate education curriculum.
This emerged today at the National Clean-Up Campaign exercise held at Warren Park High School where Hon. Torerayi Moyo, the Minister of Primary and Secondary School led the delegation.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the National Clean Up Campaign on 5 December 2018. The campaign encourages all citizens to participate in cleaning their environment for two hours in the morning on the first Friday of every month.
This day is dedicated to cleaning up various areas, including workplaces, educational institutions, religious premises, recreational areas, and residential areas.
Addressing delegates participating in the initaitive, Hon Moyo said the campaign aims to create a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all citizens of Zimbabwe.
“It also contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). The Zimbabwean Government, in collaboration with then Ministry of Environment, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), plays a significant role in organising and promoting the campaign,” Hon Moyo said.
The National Clean-Up Campaign involves various stakeholders, including government ministries and departments, corporates, civil society organizations, non-governmental organisations, schools, politicians, religious leaders, and the media.
The campaign addresses waste management challenges in Zimbabwe, aiming to curb problems such as cholera and typhoid outbreaks caused by poor waste management.
“The campaign is also in fulfilment of Section 73 of the Constitution, which recognises the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being and states that every person has the right to have the environment protected, and it is meant to protect public health in line with the Public Health Act,” Minister Moyo added.
The campaign aligns with Zimbabwe’s commitments under multilateral environmental agreements, including those addressing pollution and climate change.
A clean and healthy environment is seen as essential for attracting investors and supporting the country’s economic reconstruction and transformation.
A representative of Warren Park High School said they have an orchard, nurseries, reafforestation, and botanic garden being managed by the Environmental Club. The school has managed to attend workshops organised by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and Forestry Commission, among others.
