GVI successfully implements Clean School Waste Management Initiative at Navunisea School

Fiji Hub Achievement Report October 2013

Examples of poor waste management at Navunisea School

Navunisea School is a rural primary school located in the Dawasamu District on the eastern coast of Viti Levu. At the end of the school day the children sweep out the classrooms and the mixed rubbish is either burned or buried in the school compound. The current waste management system was not sustainable and burning rubbish caused the emission of black smoke and the release of harmful toxins on the school grounds. However, the school does compost its organic kitchen waste or feed it to the pigs. This has been encouraged and Navunisea School staff agreed to aim for all organic waste will be disposed of in this way. The GVI team wanted to build on the previous success it had with the primary school childrens sustainability lessons, presentations and the village clean up. We wanted a long term and sustainable waste management system, which could be managed by the school. Teachers were introduced to the Clean School Programme during a professional development session led by the GVI Primary Education Project Leader, who discussed the opportunity to start a sustainable waste management programme in school. Staff were keen to establish the Clean School Programme, considered goals for the school to achieve and ways to monitor and sustain the new system in the long term. To support the delivery of environmental education in school, GVI scholar Jenna delivered

a two-part training session to volunteers. Firstly she introduced the volunteers to the Clean School Programme, its aims and outcomes. Then she demonstrated examples of lesson plans for music, art as well as agriculture and diversity lessons, which could be adapted across the school.

Ready to make some rubbish separators

Finished bin for class 4

To date, GVI volunteers have been delivering lessons and activities which promote environmental awareness based around the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). The children, with the support of GVI volunteers, have made rubbish separation and recycling bins, and promotional posters for each class. The staff at Navunisea School have established an Eco Council and selected Eco Warriors from each class, who monitor the use of the separation bins.

Eco Warriors

The bins have been used to great effect. Any paper or card collected will be turned into mulch for composting and flower beds. The wrappers collected will be given to the Silana Womens Group, to support their income generation project. And all non-recyclables are collected for arts & crafts or up-cycling lessons led by GVI volunteers. The next step is to create a main recycling point at school and ensure ongoing monitoring by the Eco Warriors. The final end goal at Navunisea School is to achieve a zero burning policy.
Following the success of recycling, composting and up-cycling initiatives in Silana village, we hope to do the same in the school community. Our aim is establish the Clean School Programme for the long term and work towards a zero burning policy. Thus ensuring Navunisea School is a healthy and beautiful environment for the children of Silana to learn in. Eleanor Hanson, GVI Education Project Leader.

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