Schools in Rwamagana and Kayonza districts have partnered with parents and teachers associations to promote environmental conservation. 

Under the drive, dubbed "Where Trees Grow, People Grow”, launched recently, environment clubs in schools are planting trees and sensitising the community on the role of environment.

The schools provide seedlings from school trees nurseries to ensure the availability of seedlings. Trees of different kinds, including avocadoes, mangoes and eucalyptus, among others, are being distributed under the drive.

The schools expect to plant at least 20,000 trees during the forthcoming rainy season as part of the drive.

Caritas Uwitonze, a biology teacher at GS St Vincent De Paul Rwamagana Catholique, said that environment clubs in schools help students recognise the importance of protecting the environment, adding that students are good environment protection agents in their community. 

"Environment clubs in schools encourage the young generation and help sensitise the community on best environmental protection practices,” Uwitonze said. 

"In 2012 we started the clubs but we encountered seedling shortage. Fortunately, the Association of Friends of Environment supported us to establish the permanent trees nurseries,” she added.

Donah Kwitonda, the executive director of the Association des Ami de la Nature, noted that since there is no strategic plan for sustainability for the trees that are planted in the community, involving students is crucial in protecting the environment.

"We cannot afford to lose our natural heritage through environment degradation. Our future generations depend on the sustainable use of environmental resource conservation and improved management of pollutants, soil erosion, deforestation and general degradation of national resources,” Kwitonda said.