By Tony Achidria – Senior Environment Awareness Officer

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), through the Division of Environment Education and Advocacy, has commenced an engagement with schools in the Teso Sub-region to promote tree growing, environmental conservation and school greening initiatives.

The initiative, being implemented under NEMA’s Greening Uganda Schools programme, is targeting primary and secondary schools, with a focus on equipping learners and school staff with practical knowledge and skills to establish and sustainably manage tree-growing initiatives within their institutions and communities.

The engagement is being conducted at three host institutions: Nakatunya Primary School, Pioneer Primary School and Teso College Aloet. Each host school has brought together at least five neighbouring schools to participate in the training and share practical experiences in tree growing and environmental conservation.

The training goes beyond tree planting to cover the full tree-growing value chain, including establishment and management of tree nursery beds, seed propagation, planting and transplanting of seedlings, tree management and eventual commercial production. Demonstration nursery beds for both trees and vegetables have been established at the host schools to provide learners and teachers with hands-on experience.

The host schools are expected to serve as central points from which participating and neighbouring schools can access seedlings and technical knowledge, enabling them to establish and expand their own greening initiatives. This approach is intended to support schools to produce their own seedlings rather than relying entirely on purchasing seedlings for tree-planting activities.

NEMA is also distributing tree seedlings to participating schools to support their greening efforts. The seedlings include Grevillea, Eucalyptus and improved Mvule, among other species suitable for the local environment. The initiative is particularly relevant to schools that depend on firewood, as increased tree growing can contribute to a more sustainable supply of wood resources while improving tree cover within and around school compounds.

In addition to tree growing, the schools are being trained in the establishment and management of vegetable gardens. The gardens are expected to contribute to improved nutrition for learners and staff while providing schools with an opportunity to generate income through the sale of surplus produce.

The initiative is designed to extend beyond school compounds. Learners are being encouraged to share the knowledge and practical skills acquired with their families and communities, thereby creating a wider network of environmental stewards and promoting tree growing at household and community level.

Speaking during the engagement, NEMA officials emphasised the importance of translating environmental knowledge into practical action. The Authority noted that sustainable environmental conservation requires more than planting trees; it also requires communities, particularly young people, to have the knowledge and skills to nurture, protect and sustainably utilise natural resources.

The initiative also complements broader efforts to strengthen environmental awareness and action among young people. By placing schools at the centre of tree growing and environmental conservation, NEMA is supporting the development of a culture of environmental responsibility that can extend from schools to households and communities.

The engagement in Teso is part of NEMA’s continued efforts to promote environmental literacy, public participation and practical action towards a clean, healthy, productive and sustainable environment.