UNICEF’s climate change education averting future dangers – school teacher

By Idris Olasunkanmi

Mr Abdullahi Idris, Climate Change Education teacher, Government Junior Secondary School, Sakwa in Zaki Local Government Area of Bauchi state, says that the climate change education introduced by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was averting future dangers in the state.

He stated this in an interview with newsmen when a team from UNICEF Bauchi Field Office visited the school to assess the impact of the incorporation of climate change education into the school curriculum as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Children’s Day.

According to him, teaching students about climate change at the junior level would not only avert several imminent dangers in the future, but also broaden the pupils’ knowledge about climate change and how to protect the environment against its adversities.

“UNICEF trained us on climate change last year, provided teaching materials and we are teaching our students the subjects.

“Not only that, we have about 100 pupils in our Nature Club who have projects they carry out.

“Each member of the club has at least one tree he is nurturing and watering daily.

They now preach afforestation against deforestation in our little community and they learn about waste recycling and erosion control and many other things,” he said.

Idris also stated that had embarked on massive tree planting in not only the school premises but in their various places of residence.

One of the students, Hafsat Sanda, said she had been effectively taught about climate change as well as waste recycling.

She said “after drinking coca-cola, people throw away the bottle, others will pick, wash and put zobo drink inside.

“Likewise sachet water bags, the polythene bags are used to make pillows, and cartons are used in making mosquito repellent and ceiling boards.

“Also if the latrine is full, the waste can be packed and used on the farm as manure. These are few of what we have learned from the climate change subject,” she said.

UNICEF also organised an inter-school quiz competition on climate change to commemorate the world children’s day in Azare, the Headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of the state.

Government Junior Secondary School, Ungwan Hadejia from Shira LGA took the first position by scoring 20 points, while Government Junior Secondary School, Katagum took the second position with 17 points.

Government Day Junior Secondary School, Yana from Shira LGA took the third position with 17 points.