Tree planting to be part of school life, says minister

The Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Mr January Makamba, plants a tree during his visit to Mlandege Primary School in Iringa Region yesterday. PHOTO| BAKARI KIANGO

What you need to know:

  • The minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Mr January Makamba, said on Wednesday that each of the schoolchildren enrolled in public and private primary schools in Tanzania would be required to report to their respective schools with a seedling.

 Dar es Salaam. Tree planting will now be part of the requirements for those joining various primary and secondary schools in the country, starting next year, as the government embarks on a long-term strategy to protect the environment.

The minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Mr January Makamba, said on Wednesday that each of the schoolchildren enrolled in public and private primary schools in Tanzania would be required to report to their respective schools with a seedling.

Those joining secondary education will have to carry with them three seedlings and present them to the school management on the reporting day before they can be allowed to commence their classes.

He stressed there would be no school leaving certificate issued to any of the schoolchildren, who won’t take care of their trees during their school time,” said the minister.