Pictured above: Appointed teacher coordinators shared ongoing eco club activities
Strengthening Teacher Capacity through the De Aar Solar Park Project
On 10 June, De Aar Solar Power and WESSA facilitated a teacher workshop at Alpha Primary School as part of the De Aar Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project.
The workshop brought together 10 teachers from Alpha Primary School, 2 teachers from Kareeville Primary School, and a representative from the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform.
The session focused on Education for Sustainable Development, preparations for the upcoming Entrepreneurship Day, and how learners can develop practical green business initiatives linked to waste management, recycling, creativity, and sustainability.
Sharing Eco-Club activities and creative ideas
During the workshop, appointed teacher coordinators shared updates on their ongoing Eco-Club activities and reflected on the progress made at their schools.
Alpha Primary School showcased its creative arts and crafts activities, including gift bags made by learners and a lively “trashion show”, where learners designed fashion items using recyclable materials.
Pictured above: Alpha Primary School shared their arts and crafts activities, gift bags, and a lively ‘trashion show’ with fashion made from recyclables
Kareeville Primary School highlighted its waste-sorting activities and creative projects using recycled materials. These mini-presentations created a valuable platform for teachers to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and strengthen collaboration between participating schools.
Learners embrace Eco-Schools projects through Droogfontein Solar Park
In another exciting development, learners from Beacon Primary School in Collville and Waterworks Primary School in Riverton participated in school assemblies linked to the Droogfontein Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project, implemented in partnership with WESSA.
The assemblies introduced learners to practical environmental projects that will be implemented at their schools, helping them understand how they can contribute to cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable school communities.
Recycling awareness at Beacon Primary School
At Beacon Primary School, learners were introduced to the upcoming recycling project. The session focused on helping learners identify different types of recyclable waste and understand the benefits of recycling for their school and broader community.
Learners were encouraged to think about how waste can be reduced, reused, and recycled, and how their participation can support responsible waste management practices at school.
At Waterworks Primary School, the assembly focused on food gardens and their many benefits. Learners explored how school food gardens can provide fresh produce, promote healthy eating, and create opportunities to learn practical skills in sustainability.
The session helped learners understand that food gardens are not only about growing vegetables, but also about building responsibility, teamwork, and environmental awareness.
Building environmental stewardship
Both the teacher workshop and learner assemblies demonstrated the value of the Eco-Schools approach in bringing sustainability to life through practical action.
Through the De Aar Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project and the Droogfontein Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project, teachers and learners are being empowered to explore circular economy principles, develop green business ideas, improve waste management, and strengthen environmental stewardship within their schools.
These activities show how partnerships between WESSA, solar power partners, schools, and government stakeholders are helping to build a new generation of environmentally conscious learners and educators in the Northern Cape.