Environmental course offered to 700 schools

Al Yasmina School yesterday launched a programme in environmental education for students six to thirteen.

ABU DHABI // Al Yasmina School yesterday launched a programme in environmental education for students aged six to thirteen. Bob Malone, the school's principal, described the educational programme as "a major learning tool to make children more aware of environmental and conservation issues". The programme, Enviro-Spellathon, will run in public and private schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras al Khaimah.

Created by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi and the Emirates Wildlife Society, Enviro-Spellathon has been used by 675,000 pupils in 545 government and private schools since its launch in 2001, and will be offered in 700 schools in the next two years. "It's an important programme for kids," said Razan al Mubarak, the managing director of the Emirates Wildlife Society. "We found that there was a gap in local knowledge on the environment and the programme fills that gap."

Ms Mubarak said that the classes, with a computer program based on a widely used book, will also teach children about UAE culture and heritage. Aldar Properties has pledged its support to the Emirates Wildlife Society to introduce the programme into as many schools as it can. "We do hope the programme will contribute to building a generation of highly educated, environmentally conscious citizens who appreciate and respect the UAE natural heritage," Ahmed Ali al Sayegh, the chairman of Aldar Properties, said in a written statement.

Children will learn about local wildlife in cities, the desert, and the sea, and about preserving and protecting water and managing waste. [e-mail]