The incorporation of environmental education within the school curriculum receives a major boost this month with a R3.5 million commitment by Tetra Pak to fund the national coordination of the WESSA/WWF Eco- Schools Programme over the next three years.

Eco-Schools, a World Wide Fund for Nature and Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa initiative, is a programme for environmental management, certification and sustainable development education for schools. The holistic, participatory approach and combination of learning and action make it an ideal way for schools to embark on a meaningful path to improving the environments of schools and their local communities, and of influencing the lives of young people, school staff, families, local authorities and NGOs.

Hettie Gets, Conservation Education Programme Manager at WWF South Africa says “We are delighted that Tetra Pak has decided to increase their investment in this significant and popular programme by supporting the crucial function of the National Eco-Schools Office.”

“Tetra Pak has in effect, invested in a valuable tool which enables schools to work toward sustainable development goals. One of the Programme’s core aims is to ensure that efforts for better environmental learning and action are sustained and become part of how schools are managed. Learning to live within our environmental means is a burning issue worldwide and Eco-Schools is an excellent way to help a new generation of consumers and leaders learn to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.”

Rae McGraw, Marketing Director of Tetra Pak says “Environmental education at a school level is vital. The children of today are the consumers, decision-makers and leaders of tomorrow. If people learn about sound environmental behavior at a young age, they are likely to continue with it. Children should know about environmental issues and, importantly, about the tools that exist to deal with these issues”.

Source: WWF