Burkina Faso
Eco-citizens training
The Association pour l'Education Relative à l'Environnement pour un Développement Durable (EDUCAREDD) aims to promote Environmental Education and Sustainable Development.
An initiative of Association pour l’Education Relative à l’environnement pour un Développement Durable ( EDUCAREDD )
Overview of the project
In three pilot primary schools in Bobo-Dioulasso, the Association pour l’Education Relative à l’Environnement pour un Développement Durable (EDUCAREDD) works in the environmental field. By training and raising awareness among the youngest pupils, we hope to create in them a strong love for restoring and protecting the environment and improving the school ecosystem. The aim is to eventually turn them into good eco-citizens and ambassadors for our environment, which is becoming increasingly degraded by our daily actions. Our actions take into account four weak points in the test schools: latrines, water and waste management and reforestation. In 2022, an agreement with ONEA enabled the construction of new latrines. These will prevent open defecation, a practice that is still all too common in our schools. As well as the physical structure, training for teachers and children will enable them to use and maintain the latrines correctly, to improve hygiene and ensure that they last for years to come.
In 2023, the school holidays will provide an opportunity for reforestation. Despite the absence of the children, the Parents’ Association (APE) will be organising the planting with the help of nurserymen who are members of the association. At the start of the new school year, children will be able to sponsor a tree and take care of it. Photos will be regularly sent to EDUCAREDD and published on the Facebook page. We hope that this practice will motivate the children and their supervisors to keep as many trees as possible in good shape, and serve as an example of good practice for other school sites.
Sensibiliser les enfants aux questions environnementales et les former pour qu'ils deviennent de futurs éco-citoyens.
Ongoing research
28/03/2021 - 28/03/2030
Our project, which is mainly organised with CM1 children, reaches between 850 and 1,100 children each year, not to mention the importance of setting an example for peers and the “snowball effect”. The project began three (3) years ago, and the first pilot classes are now in CE1.
Our global plea to ONEA, signed by all the departments and supported by the local authority, has led to the construction of 3 new latrine blocks (for boys, girls and teachers) on two school sites.
In each arrondissement where the schools are located, awareness-raising work was carried out with the local authorities to obtain more effective cooperation in maintaining the sites.
EDUCAREED is recognised by the various players (from the lady at the small market to the school management) at the school sites we support as a valid and serious partner.
The project was written in several phases, involving as many of the school’s partners as possible, including local residents.
Once a year, each site is assessed to see how much progress has been made, and to determine future projects and how they can be carried out with maximum public involvement.
Our step-by-step approach means that teachers can gradually develop new, more environmentally-friendly practices with their pupils, whether in terms of water management, regular rubbish collection in the playground or the proper use of the new latrines.
The toilets were built and financed by ONEA.
The trees were donated by local nurserymen and the Africa Unit association.
Arrondissements 2, 5 and 6 and the Commune are contributing a bus and fuel for the major outings, as well as cash.
The Institut Eco-Conseil (IEC) in Namur, Belgium.
Membership fees
About the
organisation
organisation
Environmental Education and Sustainable Development.
The aim of the Association pour l’Education Relative à l’Environnement pour un Développement Durable (EDUCAREDD) is to promote Education Relative à l’Environnement (ERE) and Sustainable Development in order to contribute, with all concerned, to improving the school ecosystem and developing the emergence of an eco-citizen population.
To do this, the school administration has proposed three (03) pilot sites to enable us to try out our vision of environmental education, in this case “improving the ecosystem in schools”. The schools in question are Kuinima “B”, Lafiabougou B, C, D and E, and Colma Nord A, B, C and D.
Other partners / supporters
Office National de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement (National Water and Sanitation Office)
The Provincial Department of Education
The Regional Environment Department
The town halls of Arrondissements 2, 5 and 6
The Commune of Bobo-Dioulasso
The Houet Association of Nurserymen and Horticulturists
The Burkina Faso Association of Eco-Counsellors and Eco-Cooperators (ECOCO-BF)
The Institut Eco-Conseil de Namur (Belgium)