Group tutors pupils on environmental conservation

In a renewed effort at catching them young, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has trained about 100 students on the need to imbibe the culture of conserving biodiversity and embracing hygienic living.

The participants within the age bracket five to seventeen were trained through its Environmental Education Unit in specific aspects such as bird-watching, butterfly colle ction, biodiversity, green cooking, arts and craft through its virtual summer school on for children and teenagers ages five to 17 years .

Speaking on the initiative, NCF’s Head of Environmental Education, Mrs. Bidemi Balogun, stated that the purpose of the virtual school was to engage the children and teenagers during the lockdown in environmental education and prepare them as ambassadors for environmental conservation. 

NCF has since its inception been keen on environmental education for school children up to tertiary institutions level. This has necessitated the establishment of Conservation Clubs in schools and Bird Clubs in the communities across the nation. 

Mrs. Balogun, said learning is not restricted to physical classroom for children, hence the new normal, which is virtual learning, has to be embraced by everyone.

“The NCF Eco Summer School was set up in continuation of the conservation club activities, the idea came up as a result of the pandemic that has placed restriction on large gathering especially children. The two-weeks have been fun with the children; their participation was highly encouraging. Some of the materials used to train them on environmental issues are available for them to go over to aid continual learning. We were able to touch on most aspects of the environment.”

Narrating his experience, in a telephone phone interview, a 12 years participant, Ohigbai Aigbavboa said, “Now I have become much better in arts and crafts, and I have learnt the importance of recycling, bird watching, butterfly and biodiversity.”

Also speaking, 10 years old, Moduroti Akinola said, “I had a great time learning about the ecosystem. The most interesting part of it was the arts and craft. I also enjoyed the virtual trip.”