Vision, Mission & Aims
Schools and Sustainability: Professional Development of Educators
Ethekwini Water and Sanitation have been working for years to spread the water supply and sanitation services throughout the eThekwini Municipality. It has done so with considerable success but one area lacking was in schools. To address this need, EWS has established a teacher’s professional development course to train teachers in the environment and sustainability in schools.
This course was designed in partnership by Rhodes University and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) and implanted by EWS with funding from the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA). The course trains teachers in a resource-based curriculum covering water, sanitation, waste, air and energy. With the training and implementation, the teachers at their schools are able to work on reducing the schools’ waste of energy and water and improving the sanitary conditions of the toilets. In addition vegetable gardens have been started up. The course is composed of 10 one-day workshops conducted at EWS with tutors from Rhodes University, WESSA, Unegen Water, and Durban Solid Waste. Two groups of 14 teachers each were taught over 2004 and 2005 and 30 more are being taught in 2006. Upon completion, teachers receive certification from Rhodes University.
Innovation
The project is innovative in the use of a three-way partnership
between the municipality, a university, and an NGO, providing funding
and space, education standards and certification and expertise.
The project hopes to address the needs of the schools through the
teachers themselves, thereby implementing change from the bottom
up.
Effectiveness
28 teachers have undergone the course with 25 of them receiving
marks over 50%. Class average was 69%. 30 additional teachers are being
trained in 2006. Class sizes are small, with one tutor for every 5
teachers, ensuring access and commitment. Teachers have learned a lot
and are bringing what they’ve learned back into their schools and
classrooms, thereby reaching a much wider population.
Poverty Impact
Teachers are better equipped with lesson materials they receive free
while the cost-effectiveness and quality of life in the schools have
improved through better resource management and sanitation.
Sustainability
The project is funded entirely by DBSA but funding must be applied
for every year. Ideally the Municipality will be able to support
the program if it cannot get outside support. The course costs R110,000
per year to operate.
Replication
The project is in the process of replication already. It has
been taken to the national level and 10 teachers from the 9 provinces
received training in 2005. With more Universities in the different
provinces involved, it could be spread and be replicated in each
province on its own.
Partnerships
- WESSA
- Development Bank of South Africa
- Departments of Health and Education
- Rhodes University
- Ethekwini Municipality
