Environmental education initiative

Environmental education initiative efforts at Masisiwe Primary School have significantly transformed both the school and its surrounding community. Launched in 2006 with support from the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF), the environmental education initiative was originally introduced to combat student absenteeism caused by the lack of midday meals. Through strategic tree planting, the school has not only improved its natural resources but also its academic outcomes.

The trees planted under the environmental education initiative have provided firewood for school meals, reducing pressure on the Uzungwa Scarp Nature Forest Reserve. Revenue from selling trees has funded crucial infrastructure, such as electricity, laptops, and a photocopy machine, which enhance the school’s teaching capabilities. Additionally, the initiative supports farming, supplying maize and beans to provide nutritious meals for students.

Academic performance has seen a remarkable improvement: the pass rate rose from 68% in 2022 to 86% in 2023, and the number of students progressing to Standard 5 has more than doubled. With 75 acres of forested land, the school aims to grow 40,000 seedlings by 2025 as part of its continued environmental education initiative, making it a leading model for integrating sustainability into education. This holistic approach empowers students to become guardians of the environment.

Story Details

Location:
Masisiwe Village, Kilolo District
District Surrounding Forest:
Uzungwa Scarp and Nature Forest Reserve

KEY DATA

38 villages benefited from the project.
9 districts implemented the project.
24 secondary schools received support.
64 primary schools benefited from the project.
22,162 students were engaged.
763 tree nurseries were established.
41,583,127 tree seedlings were produced.
TZS 6,653,112,000 was generated.

Masisiwe Primary School has a total of 337 students and 7 teachers. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to EAMCEF for providing us with the tree-planting project that was initiated in 2006. We have learned about water source conservation and continue to plant trees to protect the Eastern Arc Mountains. We have earned income from these trees by selling timber, which has allowed us to make significant improvements in the school, including bringing electricity for a cost of 2 million shillings. This project has also reduced student absenteeism by providing midday meals, and academic performance has greatly improved.

Edmund Andrea Mtubatwa

We have sold trees and brought electricity to our school, and we have also bought a photocopy machine for printing exams. Now, we eat lunch at school, with the meal consisting of ugali and beans, which is funded by contributions from parents and the sale of trees. We have also planted 280 avocado seedlings at the school, which will provide us with fruit. Now, we are sure that we will have enough fruits at school to improve our health. A big thank you to EAMCEF for their support.

Glasiana Theofil Mhagama