Why our schools must lead in sustainability

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OPINION

By Solomon Turyamuhaki

To community leaders, as a community, we often labour to talk about preparing our children for the future, but one key lesson we can give our children is how to care for the world they will inherit when we are gone. That is why I believe sustainability in schools should be a top priority for our leaders, educators, and parents at large.

Sustainability is more than a buzzword. In schools, it means teaching students to value natural resources, reduce waste, and make responsible choices. It also means creating healthier learning environments through energy efficiency, water conservation, and clean surroundings. These steps not only cut costs but also instill lifelong habits in our young people. When I was in elementary school over two and a half decades ago, I learnt about the use of trees and why one must cut one and plant three. This has given me confidence today to match the talk of making the world greener.

In this line, therefore, Community leaders have a special role to play. By supporting schools with resources, policies, and partnerships, they can turn classrooms into hubs of innovation and environmental responsibility. Simple initiatives like recycling drives, school gardens, and tree-planting programs can ripple out into households and neighbourhoods, fostering a culture of care and accountability.

If we want resilient, forward-thinking citizens, we must start by embedding sustainability in education today. The posterity of our children today is dependent on the lessons that schools provide while adding the values of stewardship, equity, and shared responsibility. The choices we make now will shape not only their future but the future of our entire community.

Sincerely

The writer is a second-year master’s student of MBA at Makerere University, majoring in Strategy and Communication