by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Desk of climate change and environment at the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) in Kaduna State has called on the Ministry of Education to establish environmental clubs in all boarding schools, following recent outbreaks of diarrhea and diphtheria in government secondary schools.
According to a press statement by IMC Co-Director, Mr Samson Auta, on Wednesday, “Two prominent boarding schools: Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Kawo and Queen Amina College recently reported disease outbreaks.
“Several other students were also reportedly hospitalized at GGSS Kawo, due to the diarrhea outbreak linked to poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation in the cafeteria, while Queen Amina College also reported cases of diphtheria and instances of hyper-pigmentation among students,” the statement added.
In the press release made available to our Correspondent, the IMC Co-Director emphasized the urgent need to introduce environmental clubs to promote cleanliness, hygiene, and environmental awareness among students.
It stated that, “Creating environmental clubs in schools would help raise awareness among young people about the importance of maintaining a clean and safe environment,” Auta stated.
“It is essential to educate students on issues related to environmental sustainability and hygiene, especially in the light of the recent health crises.”
According to Mr. Auta, school-based environmental clubs will serve as platforms for students to learn about the natural world, understand their role in environmental protection, and actively participate in improving sanitation conditions.
He highlighted that such clubs could help instill long-term environmental values by fostering a connection between students and the health of their surroundings.
Suggested activities for the clubs include, tree planting on school grounds and community parks, as well as organizing “green cleaning days” to pick up trash and improve hygiene within the school environment.
Other activities include cutting grass, cleaning the school premises, and ensuring cleanliness among students.
Mr. Auta also called on the Kaduna State Government to reintroduce monthly sanitation exercises across the state.
He stressed that involving communities in regular environmental cleanup efforts is key to preventing disease outbreaks and improving public health.
Recent reports have shown a concerning rise in disease outbreaks across Kaduna State. “Over 200 cases of vaccine-preventable diseases have been recorded since the beginning of the year, prompting alarm among health officials and parents.”
IMC expressed believes that empowering students through environmental education and active participation is a sustainable solution to address both environmental degradation and public health challenges.