This morning representatives from 64 schools on Malta and Gozo came together to take part in the Dinja Wahda Launch and Prize-giving ceremony held at The Archbishop Seminary School in Rabat.
The event was attended by the Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, Leo Brincat, who addressed the attendees and presented awards to those schools involved in the Dinja Wahda Education Programme last scholastic year.
Dinja Wahda is an environmental education programme for primary schools run by BirdLife Malta with the support of Partner in Education Bank of Valletta and in collaboration with the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE). It includes engaging and educational school activities as well hands on experiences outdoors and field teaching visits to Malta’s nature reserves.
In total 73 primary schools received awards in recognition of their achievements in environmental education. Two thirds of these schools received the Gold Award, showing their commitment to looking after the environment and educating the next generation to do the same.
Speaking at the event Environment Minister, Leo Brincat, congratulated the schools and children on their achievements over the last year, and praised BirdLife Malta for the success of their programme in raising environmental awareness amongst young people.
The Minister went on to speak about the importance of creating a sustainable future, saying that “This activity gives me great satisfaction because I always end up learning from it. I also appreciate seeing different entities working together to promote conservation and nature appreciation. The children present have a mission to fulfil, which is to pass on to their parents what they learn.”
This year for the first time a new award was presented from Bank of Valletta and Dinja Wahda for the new participating school which put in the most effort to get involved. The award was presented to St. Sebastian Primary School,Qormi.
Looking forward the event also saw the launch of the new Dinja Wahda Action Guide for 2014-2015. Thanks to generous funding from the European Commission Representation in Malta the Action Guide has now been produced in a ring bound folder and along with posters and other educational resources will be distributed to every primary school teacher in Malta and Gozo.
The EC Representation has also supported the development of the Dinja Wahda programme into secondary schools. Speaking during the presentation, Diane Spiteri, Acting Head of the Representation said, “I appreciate the fact that the Representation’s small contribution to Dinja Wahda, is helping BirdLife to deliver a great output.”
BirdLife hopes that through new projects and developments even more schools will be able to get involved in the year to come. Schools interested in finding out more about the Dinja Wahda programme should contact BirdLife Malta. Tel: 2134 7644 Email: dinjawahda@birdlifemalta.org [1]
Photo: Desiree Falzon gives presentation on wildlife and the environment. Photo by Ella Beeson.