Enviro-Spellathon: on a winning track

Sponsored by Shell, Enviro-Spellathon 2003 was organised by the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) and Emirates Wildlife Society/World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS/WWF) under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Youth.

Dubai Municipality in Dubai, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah and the Environment Protection and Industrial Development Commission in Ras Al Khaimah conducted the programme in their respective emirates.

'Such a high level of participation from primary school graders across the country is unprecedented. This means that, besides the large number of students who were made more environmentally aware, as many families and teachers also benefited, since children studied the Enviro-Spellathon both at home and in school,' said Majid Al Mansouri, ERWDA's Secretary General.

Children between the age of 6 and 12 years in participating schools studied six specially developed booklets pertaining to the UAE's environment and were tested on the contents. Depending on the scores obtained, they received certificates and gifts.

The best 10 students from each school were nominated Enviro-Spellathon ambassadors to act as beacons of model environmental behaviour and to encourage eco-friendly attitudes among their peers.

'The Enviro-Spellathon teaches children to appreciate the life forms with which they share their world. Entrusting the future of our natural heritage to citizens who understand its value is the vision behind this programme.

It adopts a long-term view of sensitising the younger generation to environmental concerns by the introduction of relevant study materials to both supplement and complement school curricula.

This year, thanks to the Enviro-Spellathon, there are at least 3,870 young ambassadors to spread the conservation message across the community,' said Dr. Fredéric Launay, Director of EWS/WWF.

'Shell is proud to be the sole sponsor of this programme, which has generated so much interest in schools,' said Dr. Mohamed Defrawi, Managing Director of Shell Abu Dhabi. 'We believe it has contributed to raising environmental awareness among children. The Enviro-Spellathon's substantial growth in two years is proof of its popularity and its value to the UAE.'

Last year, 44,994 students from 172 schools took part in the Enviro-Spellathon 2002, which was implemented only in Abu Dhabi Emirate. However, this year the participation has been much greater because the programme covered three additional emirates and saw more participants in Abu Dhabi Emirate itself.

In the current year, 72,961 students from 241 schools in Abu Dhabi participated, followed by 19,251children from 74 schools in Dubai, 10,403 from 40 schools in Sharjah, and 6,737 from 32 schools in Ras Al Khaimah. Further expansion of the programme is expected in 2003-2004 due to the keen interest expressed by participants.