WESSA Glencore report 2022

Hlangu Phala Primary School

ACTIONS TAKEN

FOOD SECURITY AND MANAGING WASTE SUSTAINABLY comprises of two surnames namely Mahlangu and Phaladi combined who were two prominent men amongst the community of Ogies. The journey started fifteen years ago with the aim of working together towards making the world a better place, being ambassadors of protecting the environment and natural resources by making Hlangu Phala Primary School a water wise school. The learners and an Eco teacher N A Nkhutha initiated a sustainable vegetable garden which supplemented the school’s nutrition programme daily When Hlangu Phala Primary joined the Eco-Schools programme in 2018, the plan was to expand the vegetable garden. Gardening offers opportunity for physical activity where the learners gained skills on how to make compost and prepare seed beds. Hlangu Phala Primary School is a Quantile level 4 public school which was initially a mission school now converted into a government school. It

learners have an active recycling project where they collect bottles, tooth paste card box and other recycled material to make creative crafts and toys.

Ogies

The learners volunteered to be environment consuls where they cultivate ornamental plants, vegetables, and indigenous plants in the school premises to prevent soil erosion and reducing surface runoff Arbour Day celebration was an opportunity to reach the wider school community and raise awareness on the importance of trees to humans and the environment. School gardens are a haven for the children. It’s where they can develop critical thinking, collaboration and creativity skills. The school did an audit of the amount of energy that is consumed at the school and implemented an energy saving approach linked with SDG 7 They worked on energy use reduction and were able to reduce consumption and are monitoring usage annually Schools can provide a vast of educational opportunities by creating awareness about waste management. Waste management in schools is linked with Natural Sciences and Technology, Economics and Management Science. The Eco

REFLECTIONS The environment is now clean and healthy. There are continuous meal supplements from the food garden and active learner participation. The Natural Sciences lessons have been fun and teachers have been able to integrate content learned in their teaching subjects.

The Eco committee at Hlangu Phala Primary appreciates being part of the Eco-Schools project which has inspired them to take better care of their environment.

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