GEORGE NEWS - Pacaltsdorp Primary and Hoogekraal Primary recently received their Green School registration certificates from the Landmark Foundation. Hoogekraal was the first rural school to register. 

According to Monica Vaccaro of the foundation, the registration certificate ensures continued commitment from the school to begin environmental education through a waste minimisation and a structured recycling programme at the school. 

"This also cements the support from the partners and collaborators that support the school in this effort, such as George Municipality, Garden Route District Municipality and Henque Waste," Vaccaro said.

"It is going to be a long, hard journey, but habits must change so that we can start making real changes in our communities."

The Green School Project is an environmental education programme that starts with separation of waste and introduces a recycling system at schools.

Monica Vaccaro (left) and Tania Els (centre) of the Hoogekraal Educational Trust hand over the certificate to Meagan van der Merwe, acting principal of Hoogekraal Primary.

Vaccaro thanked the principals and staff for their commitment to change. "The change is going to be more than just minimising waste to landfill; it will bring environmental awareness and will enable learners to make better choices. This project aims to create leaders through responsible management of the programme," she said. 

"We thank GRDM for assisting with the recycling boxes and Henque Waste for creating a buy-in so the schools can turn their efforts into income."

She said the Hoogekraal Educational Trust is also committed to be the community champion that will support the school through this journey.

Hoogekraal learners with recycling boxes that will be put to good use at the school.

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