Enviro-Spellathon launched in Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah

This is the third year running that the Enviro-Spellathon is being implemented in schools in Sharjah and Dubai, and the second year in Fujairah.

The programme for the academic year 2004-05 is sponsored by Shell and co-sponsored by First Gulf Bank. Organisers of Enviro-Spellathon in the Northern Emirates are Emirates Wildlife Society in association with World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF), Sharjah's Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Dubai Municipality and Fujairah Municipality.

Mr. Abdul Aziz Al Midfa, General Manager, EPAA and Board Member EWS-WWF, said, "Enviro-Spellathon has been so much appreciated by schools that we are pleased to continue with it once again. More than 20,000 students from 65 schools in Sharjah participated last year. Interest in nature was sparked off among these children and they received guidance on sustainable lifestyles."

Six booklets or 'levels' on themes pertaining to the UAE's environment have been specially developed for the Enviro-Spellathon. These cover such subjects as wildlife, water and waste. Children between the age of 6 and 12 years in participating schools study the booklet appropriate to their level and are tested on its content. Depending on the scores attained, they receive gifts and certificates. The best 10 students from each school are nominated Enviro-Spellathon Ambassadors.

Mr. Rashid Hamdan Abdullah, Director, Fujairah Municipality and Board Member EWS-WWF said, "Last year was the first Enviro-Spellathon in Fujairah and it was a success, drawing 8000 students from 30 schools. Our emirate is blessed with the biodiversity that this programme describes and it is vital that students become familiar and learn to appreciate it."

Said Mr. Abdulla. Mohammed Rafia, Asst.Director General, Environment & Public Health Affairs, Dubai Municipality, "A society's concern for its children is the secret behind its progress and success, because children are the cornerstones of society and its all-round development. Let's make our children ambassadors of environment in their schools and in their society."

The programme has strengthened since its inception in 2001 in terms of student numbers, geographical coverage and content. Starting with just Abu Dhabi emirate in its first year, it expanded to also cover Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in 2002. Fujairah was the fifth emirate to join last year. From some 45,000 student participants of 172 schools in 2001-02, the Enviro-Spellathon grew to reach 114,000 students of 411 schools in 2003-04.

Ms. Razan Al Mubarak, Senior Research Officer, WWF-EWS, said, "Often, the simplest programmes have the greatest impact. The Enviro-Spellathon is one such. It lends itself to creative usage by teachers, family members and the students themselves. The programme is designed to grow with the child, so a student who has studied one level in a particular year, will move on to a more advanced level in the following year, and so on."

"This programme has truly helped spread awareness about the UAE's environment. Every participating student now identifies with local trees, plants and animals," said Dr. Ahmed Khider, Director, Environment Education and Awareness Department, ERWDA.

Said Ms. Hana Al Rostamani, Corporate Communication Head, First Gulf Bank, "We are please to be contributing to the development of youth in our community by making them environmentally sensitive citizens of this progressive country."

"Enviro-Spellathon truly demonstrates the synergy amongst us - a true partnership between the government, business and NGOs to help build environmental consciousness amongst children, the citizens and keepers of tomorrow's world," said Mr. Hussein Al Mahmoodi, External Affairs Manager, Shell Markets (M.E.) Ltd.