It’s Fun to Learn – Teaching Students about Environmental Issues

Written by Nguyen Ngoc Thach and Phan The Chien - ADP staff
 
Thu Huyen was out. She wouldn’t get to ‘Ring the Golden Bell’, as the quiz was called, after answering incorrectly. But, the grade 4 pupil from Vinh Linh district wasn’t downbeat. “This festival is great!” she said. “I hope there will be more events like this soon, so we can learn more about the environment.”

Huyen was participating in one of a series of festivals – organised by World Vision in conjunction with local authorities – for primary school children in the central province of Quang Tri. The festivals, held in late February, aimed to develop understanding of environmental protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, and climate change.

“Our water is really polluted because some factories nearby release sewage into the rivers we use,” complained Phuong Nhi, a grade 3 student from Vinh Linh district. “The dirty water damages our health and local people’s farming activities.”

Nhi was celebrating after winning the first prize in her district’s drawing competition to illustrate environmental issues. “I want my picture to inspire people to help each other to make our environment green, clean and beautiful,” she said.
 
World Vision’s messages were conveyed to the children at the festivals through their active involvement in singing and dancing activities, themed plays, painting contests and quizzes. As well as raising awareness of the topics, the festivals’ events were designed to encourage the children to join in with child-related activities in their respective communities.

“The festivals are an excellent opportunity for my students to learn and have fun at the same time,” commented Mr Tran Sy Binh, a primary school principal in Vinh Lam community. “They now know a lot more about the local environment and the other topics addressed,” he added.

At the same time, leaders of children’s clubs learnt how to write scripts and perform a play about disaster risk reduction and climate changes in Huong Hoa district in Quang Tri. The two-day training was organised by Huong Hoa ADP in cooperation with local schools.

“I learnt interesting knowledge and useful skills to write dialogues for a play about flood and storm prevention in my village. I couldn’t do the work before the training,” said Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, a grade 5 student.

Le Thi Hai Nhi, a grade 7 student, said, “”I had information about disaster risk reduction and climate change before but I haven’t taken part in a play in front of many people. Now, I’m able to act and make the audience understand what I want to say.”
 
The children will perform plays and participate in other activities about disaster prevention and mitigation at a big festival held in March 26. About 2,000 students from primary and junior high schools will attend the festival.