Children are the best teachers when it comes to sustainable practices on environment.

So says Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Parveen Bala.

Mr Bala made the comment during the Clean School Programme awards ceremony at the Nadi Civic Centre yesterday.

Mr Bala said the Nadi students had embarked on a path which is now up to the rest of Fiji to take cue from.

“Such competition motivates schools and encourages them to keep working on improving waste management and promote environmental education,” Mr Bala said.

“After its launch in 2015 by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Nadi Town Council, the programme has now expanded to all municipalities in Fiji, and to other Pacific Island countries like Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Papua New Guinea.

“Cleanliness, like charity not only begins at home but also in schools so it is important that children be the flag bearers and ambassadors in creating awareness on minimising  waste in schools, homes and communities.

“The aim of the clean schools programme is to introduce the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) centric system,” he said.

“It also gives opportunities to start proper waste management to sustain the Clean School Programme.

“Through this, we can educate children to build a clean, green and healthy Fiji for now and the future.”

A total of 22 schools participated in the competition, nine from urban areas and 13 rural areas, of which 13 are primary schools and nine secondary schools.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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