Schools have been asked to embrace the Greening Project. The call was made by the Minister for Education and Sports and First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni on Tuesday at the launch of the nationwide School Greening Project.
The project was launched at Teryet seed Secondary School in Kapchorwa Municipality, under the theme “Enhanced Learning and Well Being”. The project will support the greening of bare school land in 381 Seed Secondary Schools across the country.
The School Greening Project is an initiative of the government of Uganda Implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
According to Mrs. Museveni, under the project, 26 million trees will be planted across all the seed secondary schools in Uganda by 2026.
She said that planting trees in schools will provide a conducive learning environment, improve school security and enhance the protection of the school land from encroachment.
lsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative in Uganda, said that they are working in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment to roll out this project across the country.
“It is our hope that this project will live on for many years to come and that the future generation will take it on as a worthy legacy project and platform for environmental preservation through tree planting”.
She reveals that the launch signifies the commitment of the government, UNDP, and other stakeholders to leverage the strength of schools to restore and maintain a green and clean environment.
Ismael Mulindwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, said that schools should ensure that, school compounds are improved by planting trees, for a healthier and friendly learning environment for learners.
Everlyne Kubarika, the LCV Chairperson Kapchorwa, welcomed the project and pledged to rally leaders in the Sebei sub-region to embrace the project.
Justin Yapsoyekwo, Headteacher Teryet Seed Secondary School, said that the trees will protect the school buildings which are usually destroyed when the winds are strong.
Greening Schools is in line with the third National Development Plan (NDP III) 2020/21-2024/25, Uganda’s Vision 2040, Uganda’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (UINDC), the National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA), as well as the National Climate Change Policy.
