Schools take the lead in greening Soroti
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has embarked on a tree-planting and environmental education initiative targeting all 24 primary and secondary schools in Soroti City under its Greening Uganda Schools project.
Demonstration nursery beds for trees and vegetables have been set up at host schools to give learners practical skills in seed propagation. (Photo by Patrick Odongo)
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Efforts to strengthen environmental conservation in Soroti City are extending into schools, where learners are being encouraged to take a more active role in protecting the environment.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has embarked on a tree-planting and environmental education initiative targeting all 24 primary and secondary schools in Soroti City under its Greening Uganda Schools project.
NEMA environmental education officer Edith Akurut said the authority was conducting a three-day training programme to equip learners and school staff with practical skills in tree planting and environmental conservation.
The training is intended to help young people translate environmental knowledge into action both at school and in their communities.
The programme has three training centres: Nakatunya Primary School and Pioneer Primary School, which host participating primary schools, and Teso College Aloet's western wing, which serves secondary schools.
Edith Akurut (left) teaching a teacher about Nakatunya tree species during time for the planting season. (Photo by Patrick Odongo)
Demonstration nursery beds for trees and vegetables have also been established at host schools to give learners practical experience in seed propagation.
Akurut said the initiative would enable schools to raise their own seedlings instead of continually purchasing them. She noted that schools' reliance on firewood makes it important to promote tree growing and responsible use of natural resources.
The seedlings introduced during the training include eucalyptus, locally known as kalitunsi, and Markhamia lutea, known locally as msambya, alongside vegetable varieties.
Tony Acidria, also from NEMA, said the authority's environmental mandate includes regulation, coordination, monitoring and supervision. He urged communities to take environmental protection seriously, including addressing noise and other forms of pollution.
At Nakatunya Primary School, School Management Committee chairperson Canon Vincent Okello welcomed the initiative, saying the school's slogan “Our Future, Our Environment" reflects its commitment to environmental protection.
Headteacher Aida Alimo said the school had previously benefited from NEMA's environmental conservation activities and intended to use the new nursery beds to multiply seedlings and increase its tree cover.
Learners also welcomed the training.
Adongo Angela and Mary Goretti, both Primary Five pupils at Nakatunya Primary School, and On-rat Edimu of Arapai Primary School said the lessons had introduced them to the importance of trees and the benefits they provide to the environment.
The initiative reinforces a central message shared by environmental campaigners during Green Action Week: lasting conservation requires more than planting trees.
It depends on equipping communities, particularly young people, with the knowledge and practical skills to nurture and protect them.