2021 WESSA Annual Review

WESSA SCHOOLS and YOUTH UNIT

THE DRIVERS OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SCHOOLS

Now more than ever the transition to a more just and sustainable 21st century will become the foundation to a more symbiotic future for our people and our Earth. Self- empowerment, problem solving and critical thinking have been at the heart of our environmental learning programmes to equip learners and teachers to chart the way forward post the COVID-19 pandemic and working towards this future we need.

Our Eco-Schools, Learning About Forests (LEAF) and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) Programmes have been well positioned to directly respond to rebuilding a more resilient education system that can navigate future social and environmental challenges and actively participate in working towards a better quality of life for all . One of the highlights of our WESSA school programmes this past year was that we have been able to support teachers and their education recovery plans through the formation of Professional Learning Communities. Teachers in these Professional Learning Communities have supported each other through one of the most difficult academic years and continued their professional development to improve teaching and learning within their classrooms and the broader South African education system. The relevance, impact and sustainability of the WESSA Schools and Youth Programmes and Projects were ubiquitous during these last two challenging years. Even with fewer schools taking in our programmes, we reached 9 465 teachers and 504 800 learners this year bringing positive change and unlocking sustainability in schools and communities across South Africa. The Eco-Schools programme continues to be the leading global environmental education movement shaping a generation of environmentally conscious youth and transforming South African schools into becoming centres of environmental excellence using the Eco-Schools Seven Steps for transformation. A new partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) was established in 2020 which has seen the growth the WESSA Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) Programme . Through this partnership South African young reporters are able to speak their truth on various global and local platforms to become part of decision making and share their local climate action stories. Our YRE workshops have engaged youth on local environmental sustainability and empowering them to be part of the solution to building a sustainable and just future.

Bringing positive change and unlocking sustainability in schools and communities across

South Africa, we reached: 9 465 Teachers 504 800 Learners

We are happy to announce that the Learning About Forests (LEAF) Programme secured its first funded project since its launch in South

Annual Review 2020-2021

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