As most regions in the country continue to receive the March-May long rains, environmental conservation stakeholders have urged schools across the country to embrace tree planting and integrate it into the Competency-Based Education (CBE).
They note that the move will help instill environmental awareness among learners from an early age.
Speaking at Gakuyu Primary School in Kiharu Constituency, the stakeholders noted that incorporating tree planting into the education system will enable students to develop practical skills while understanding the importance of environmental conservation.
Murang’a County Assembly Environment Committee Chairperson Diana Muthoni said the initiative aligns well with the goals of CBE.
“Having tree planting incorporated into our curriculum goes a long way in supporting the requirements of CBE. Children are also committed to nurturing the trees, and what they learn in books can now be seen in real life,” she said.
This initiative further supports the government’s national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, as well as Murang’a County’s target to increase forest cover and promote sustainable land use by planting 134M trees by 2032,”she observed.
She added that tree planting should not be viewed as an individual responsibility but a collective duty for all Kenyans.
“Tree planting is a shared responsibility and should be an everyday activity. It helps reduce the effects of climate change, control soil erosion, and maintain a clean environment, among many other benefits,” Muthoni noted.
A local stakeholder, Joshua Mwangi, said the initiative would not only improve the environment but also support economic growth.
“We have planted fruit and medicinal trees which will not only improve our environment but also contribute to the growth of our society through industries, as we will have raw materials such as avocados,” he said.
He further encouraged residents to plant more trees at home, especially fruit trees, to enhance both environmental conservation and household income.
“These trees will not only improve our environment but also uplift the well-being of our children: the fruits have nutritional value whereas the surplus can be sold to bring an income to the school,” he said. He also encouraged the residents to take advantage of the long rains to plant more trees
Gakuyu Primary School Headteacher Mwangi Ezekiel Nyaga noted that the activity provided a practical learning experience for the pupils.
“Our students have today learnt about trees and participated in planting them. They know the names of the trees they learn in class. This is CBC in action, and they will replicate the same in their homes,” he said.
During the exercise,700 trees of various varieties , including fruit and medicinal species, were planted in the school compound.
by Florence Kinyua
