Region Three Primary Schools compete in ECHO competition

Jun 29, 2011 News

Recently the Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) concluded its “Improved School Yard Competition” at primary schools within Region Three as part of its objective in promoting an environmentally friendly school atmosphere.
Some 16 schools participated in the event, with the objectives of the competition being: to raise environmental awareness, enlist the cooperation of students in an environmental activity, and to keep their school yards clean at all times.
Schools were judged using a “point system” in areas such as garbage disposal facilities, overgrowths, overhanging trees, surface drains and the frontage of their school yards.
The first place was awarded to the Blankenburg Primary while second and third places went to Den Amstel Primary and Cornelia Ida Primary, respectively. Trophies for the winning schools were donated by Regional Chairman, Julius Faerber.
According to Faerber, the competition was a good initiative by ECHO which has great utility in schools as well as local communities, particularly in the areas of environmental awareness and education.
The Regional Chairman also challenged ECHO to replicate this activity in all primary schools, also within secondary schools in the region.
Executive Director of ECHO, Royston King, told the gathering that children can be good ambassadors of the environment since they have the ability to make a contribution to efforts that are concerned with protecting and preserving the environment.
He explained that it is precisely for this reason that ECHO has established “ECHO-clubs” in schools and in some communities and that ECHO plans to host this competition twice per school year.
Among other schools participating in the competition were Leonora, Vreed-en-Hoop, Philadelphia, Uitvlugt, Greenwich Park, Meten-Meer-Zorg and Goed Fortuin Primary Schools.