Africa-Press – Botswana. In a landmark move to promote environmental education in Botswana, Children in the Wilderness (CITW), Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) Trust, and Mokolodi Nature Reserve have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Tshwaragano Primary School in Gaborone on Tuesday.
The three-year tripartite collaboration, supported by a P220 000 investment from BIHL Trust, aims to instill environmental awareness in young learners, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on conservation experiences.
This initiative builds on BIHL Trust’s long-standing commitment to supporting education, with Tshwaragano Primary School forming part of its Adopt-A-School programme. “At BIHL Trust, we believe that investing in youth education and empowerment is the most sustainable way to ensure long-term conservation,” said BIHL Trust Board chairperson, Ngwatshi Enyatseng. “This programme reflects our commitment to building resilient communities and nurturing a generation that values and protects our natural heritage,” he added. She emphasised that conservation is not the responsibility of scientists alone. “It starts with our children, and with partnerships like this, we can catch them early,” he noted.
The CITW programme, an initiative of Okavango Wilderness Safaris (OWS), brings extensive experience in youth engagement through environmental education, life skills development, and leadership training.
Tshwaragano Primary School is the latest urban school to join the CITW programme and has shown remarkable engagement in environmental initiatives. “We’ve had an especially strong collaboration with Tshwaragano Primary School more than with many of our rural partner schools,” said CITW Board member, Derek de la Harpe.
“Our mission is to educate, inspire, and uplift children through a programme that aligns with the national education syllabus, especially in subjects like Agriculture, Science, and Social Studies,” he stated. “By investing in young people, we’re shaping tomorrow’s leaders and this partnership helps make that even more possible.”
While Tshwaragano learners have previously attended CITW’s annual educational camps hosted at OWS lodges, the school’s urban location has posed challenges for consistent access to nature-based learning.
This new partnership addresses that gap by incorporating Mokolodi Nature Reserve’s natural environment.
“Mokolodi is committed to nurturing the future custodians of Botswana’s natural heritage,” said Dennis Ramokgau, Education and Stakeholder Manager at Mokolodi. “Through this partnership, we will provide impactful and hands-on learning experiences that connect children directly with the environment they are learning about,” he said.
The initiative will include teacher training workshops to strengthen capacity in environmental education, 23 Eco-Club sessions per year aligned with the academic calendar, practical excursions to Mokolodi, and student-led projects with entrepreneurial potential. CITW’s annual camps will also continue, offering a platform for leadership development and celebration of learning.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
