MWANZA: The Junior Council members in Nyamagana District, Mwanza region, have made an impassioned plea for schools to adopt multi-storey buildings. Their proposal stems from the increasing pressure on urban spaces due to rapid population growth, commercial activities, and the need for better climate change mitigation measures.
Their call highlights a critical need to reimagine school infrastructure, especially in urban areas where available land is shrinking.
The Junior Council, made up of students from Igoma and Fumagila Secondary Schools, voiced their concerns during a recent meeting with local government officials at the Ward level. The meeting, organised by the Youth and Children Network (MYCN) was aimed at engaging young people in discussions about how climate change is affecting their lives and to raise awareness about the specific vulnerabilities faced by children in the face of climate change.
The purpose of the initiative is to equip the youth with knowledge about climate change impacts and empower them to spread this awareness within their communities. Additionally, it aims to strengthen youth governance structures, ensuring that the needs and concerns of young people are adequately addressed in climate resilience plans.
In another way, the Junior Council members believe that multi-storey buildings in schools would be an essential solution to the challenges posed by limited land space, while also providing room for tree planting initiatives to mitigate climate change.
For example, Steven Adolf, a member of the Junior Council from Fumagila Secondary School, highlighted the problem of land scarcity in urban areas.
He noted that stand-alone school buildings take up valuable space that could be better utilised for environmental solutions such as tree planting.
He added: “We are going to need more space in the future. However, if city planning continues to lag, we might face a situation where homes are built too close to schools, leaving no room for much-needed environmental measures.”
Mr Adolf further elaborated on the impact of climate change on children’s daily lives. Flooding, often caused by extreme weather events, can damage school infrastructure and make roads impassable, which disrupts school attendance. Droughts, on the other hand, can lead to food shortages, affecting both the nutrition and academic performance of children. “Climate change is not just about the environment- it is about our lives and our future.
Another Junior Council member, Beatrice Amedeo, from Igoma Secondary School, brought up additional concerns. She pointed out that children, especially girls, may face dangerous situations while searching for basic resources such as water or firewood when droughts dry up natural water sources.
“The risks children face are not just environmental. They also involve physical harm, such as encountering violence while trying to collect necessities,” she explained.
Ester Adam, a member of the Junior Council from Fumagila Secondary School, shared her own personal experience of narrowly escaping a dog bite while collecting firewood.
She linked this incident to the increasing deforestation caused by random tree-cutting, which is exacerbated by climate change. “If we don’t take action now, we will only make things worse for future generations,” she warned.
Equally, she expressed gratitude to MYCN for providing regular training on climate change, which has equipped her and her peers with the knowledge to spread awareness and advocate for environmental protection.
Fumagila Secondary School Headmaster, Mr Dotto Gibebe, fully supported the Junior Council’s proposal for multi-storey buildings in schools.
He pointed out that, in urban areas, land is becoming more and more scarce as the population increases. “People are multiplying, but land is not. Building multi-storey schools would free up space for planting trees, which is crucial for combating climate change,” he said.
Gibebe further explained that the school had already planted over 2,000 trees, all cared for by the students, through the school’s environmental club. However, he admitted that the available space for planting trees was already full. “We might soon face a situation where stand-alone buildings will need to be demolished to make room for more trees,” he warned.
The Kishiri Ward Education Officer, Ms Annrose Kileo, echoed the importance of supporting Junior Councils and nurturing young environmental advocates. She emphasized the need for greater community involvement in environmental preservation, starting with children.
Ms Kileo also urged stakeholders to invest more in tree-planting campaigns to ensure a healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations.
Nyamagana District Environment Officer, Mr David Joseph, expressed strong support for the Junior Council’s call for increased tree planting. He highlighted the district’s commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that over 268,000 trees were planted last year alone.
The district is now aiming to plant between 500,000 and 600,000 trees this year, despite the challenges posed by the area’s rocky terrain and the proximity of Lake Victoria. “Planting trees is not just a local priority; it’s part of the global effort to fight climate change,” Joseph said.
In addition to tree planting, the district is working on improving waste management and recycling. At the Buhongwa Landfill, waste is being processed into valuable products such as charcoal, paper, and packaging materials. Recycled plastic is being turned into items like bottles, chairs, and even sandals, a local innovation known as “yeboyebo.” These efforts are part of a broader strategy to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
The impacts of climate change on children are not limited to Tanzania. A 2023 report, “The Climate-Changed Child,” published by UNICEF, outlined the devastating effects climate change has on children worldwide. Child malnutrition is worsening due to crop failures and rising food prices, while extreme weather events disrupt education for millions of children every year. The report also links extreme heat to an increase in mental health issues such as PTSD and depression in children and adolescents.
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Despite their unique vulnerability, children have been largely overlooked in climate change responses. According to the report, only 2.4% of climate finance from key multilateral climate funds supports projects that address the specific needs of children. UNICEF calls on governments to ensure a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for children, as this is essential to fulfilling their rights and securing their future.
The Junior Council’s call for multi-storey school buildings and tree planting initiatives is a reminder that addressing climate change requires collective action, including the empowerment of young people. By equipping children with the knowledge and tools to advocate for environmental sustainability, we can build a brighter, more resilient future for all.
