Bauchi teacher says introduction of climate change education by UNICEF, averting future dangers

Climate change class in progress

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi 

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has been lauded for introducing Climate Change study into the curriculum of Upper Basic /Junior Secondary School education in Bauchi state to create climate change awareness among future generations. 

The commendation was made by a Climate Change Education Teachers at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Sakwa, in Zaki LGA of Bauchi State, Malam Abdullahi Idris while fielding questions from Journalists who were at the school as part of the commemoration of 2023 World Children’s Day. 

He said that  the climate change education introduced by the UNICEF, is in the right direction as it is building the process of averting future climatic dangers in the state.

He further stated that the impact of the incorporation of climate change education into the school curriculum has is the change in attitude to nature by the students as well as the teachers in the school. 

According to him, teaching students about climate change at the Junior School level will not only avert several imminent climatic dangers in the future, but also broaden the students’ knowledge about climate change and how to protect the environment against its adversities.

Abdullahi Idris said that, “UNICEF trained us on climate change last year, provided teaching materials for us and we are teaching our students the subjects. They are understanding what nature actually stand for.”

He added that, “Not only that, we have about 100 pupils in our Nature Club who have projects they carry out. Each member of the Club has at least one tree he is nurturing and watering daily.

“They now preach afforestation against deforestation in our little community and they learn about waste recycling and erosion control and many other things,” he said.

Abdullahi Idris also stated that the Students had embarked on massive tree planting in not only the school premises but in their various places of residences.

One of the students and member of the Nature Club, , Hafsat Sanda, said that she had been effectively taught about climate change as well as waste management and recycling.

She said that “after drinking coca-cola, people throw away the plastic bottles, others will pick, wash and put zobo drink inside. That is recycling and it is economically viable.”

Hafsat Sanda added that, “Likewise sachet water bags, the polythene bags are used to make pillows, and cartons are used in making mosquito repellent and ceiling boards.”  

“Also if the latrine is full, the waste can be packed and used on the farm as manure. These are few of what we have learned from the climate change subject,” she said.