VARIOUS local schools are taking the initiative regarding the environment with projects aimed at making a difference.
One such schools is Nadi Airport Primary School.
Their vision is to have zero waste management.
School headteacher Sulita Tuiqali said the school management came up with this vision last year and students had half a day each week doing environmental projects at their school.
"For every Wednesday, the classes five to eight students clean-up our school compound right up to the CAAFI compound.
"And every Friday, while the senior classes have their Sports Day, the junior students will have their turn in cleaning up our environment," Mrs Tuiqali said.
Last Thursday, 10 junior students were chosen as the school's environmental officers.
"We chose those students because they are spontaneous in their behaviour when we have the clean-up day.
"And they are briefed on their duties, and this has given them a sense of responsibility," Mrs Tuiqali said.
Since this project started at the school, Mrs Tuiqali along with her 18 staff members have seen the change in students' attitude as they strive to keep their environment clean.
The students planted flowers, trees, and are expected to put their rubbish in the proper bins.
Mrs Tuiqali said the school was now talking with the non-governmental organisation, Learn and Live on a bigger project for the school. She said this was just a natural extension of what they were working on.
"They will be coming to the school this week as we plan on a major environmental project," she said.
Mrs Tuiqali said they had arranged with several waste recycling companies to help them dispose off the rubbish they had collected.
As a result of this arrangement, Waste Recyclers collect waste paper from the school every month, Waste Management other garbage from the school, while On Steel company collects metals.
