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Water Literacy Initiative for Schools

in South Africa

AMCOW MEETINGDepartment of Water Affairs: South Africa

Ethiopia, November 2010

A national programme to change attitudes and behaviour to water use & value and to build

relevant skills for the water sector

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Contents of Presentation Problem Statement Framework for Water Literacy Initiative Major Objective Key Objectives Key Programmes Curriculum Support Programme Action Projects Youth Summit on Water and Climate Change

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Problem Statement

SA is a water scarce country – water resources are under threat

SA Water sector has severe skills shortages – identified as a major risk to water resources and water services

Policy Framework for Water Literacy

High level recommendation - A massive public education initiative focused at the school level

WfGD Framework states that skills shortage in the water sector is a key risk to achieving the 6% economic growth targets SA needs

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Water for Growth and Development Framework

Major Objective

The Water Literacy Initiative is designed to address national challenges of water scarcity and water sector skills shortages in a sustainable way

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Key Objectives To promote behavioural change

on water use and water To promote water sector careers

in at schools and provide opportunities for youth to pursue careers in the water sector

To raise awareness of water and climate change to the broader public

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Key Programmes Curriculum Programme

Resource Materials & Educator Empowerment Action Projects

Baswa le Meetse - Competition – Grade 6 South African Youth Water Prize -– Grade 11 Aqua Enduro Grade 11 Invasive Alien Plant Programme National Essay Competition on Climate

Change Annual Youth Summit on Water & Climate

Change

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Curriculum Support Programme

The vision is that every learner… and every educator …in every school will

have access to water education

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Curriculum Support (2)Curriculum-Aligned Resource

Materials – for educators and learners in Grades R-9

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Resource Material Modules

Resource Material Modules

Water is life • What is water?• Water cycle • Sources of Water

Water Use Efficiency • Key uses of water • Water saving tips • Water scarcity

Water Quality Management • Water Pollution • Water Purification

Sanitation, Health & Hygiene

• Good Sanitation practices • Various types of toilets • Maintaining sanitation facilities • Water Related diseases

Water Safety

• Water safety tips• Water safety games • Safe Swimming Environment

Forestry and Invasive Alien Plants

• Importance of Tress • Introduction of Indigenous Trees• Identification of Invasive Alien Plants

Careers in Water and Forestry

• Career Fair exhibitions • DWAF & WRC Careers @ Water CD • DWAF & WRC Careers Book

Curriculum Support (3)Curriculum-Aligned Resource Material forSenior Schooling (Grades 10-12) In development phase – ready by January 2012 Key themes for Senior Schooling phase

Water is life *** Water Quality Water Use Efficiency*** Water Management Water Sector Careers *** Climate Change Water Safety *** Environmental Conservation History and Indigenous practices of water

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Action Projects: Baswa le Meetse

The Youth in Water Awards aimed at recognizing role of Grade 6 learners in awareness campaigns related to water – using the arts medium

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Action Projects: SA Youth Water Prize

The SAYWP encourages participation of youth from Grade 9-11 in integrated water resource management. Winners compete in Annual International Competition in Sweden

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Action Projects: Aqua-EnduroAqua-Enduro is aimed at addressing science and engineering skills shortages. It targets Grade 11 learners – and winners receive bursaries from DWA

Centered around World Water Monitoring Day – October 18th

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Action Projects: Invasive Alien Plant Education

This is a practical oriented project of Working for Water that raises awareness on impact of invasive alien plant species on our national resources

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Action Projects: National Essays

Targeted at Grade 11 learners, focuses on impacts of climate change on water resources and encourages learners to consider innovative adaptation strategies and activities

This Project will be initiated at the 2011 Youth Summit

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Youth Summit on Water and

Climate Change A national event hosted by the Minister to celebrate and award youth in water

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Youth Summit on Water

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This an Annual Event that brings together all programmes of the Department on Water Literacy

The Minister Awards the excellence of Youth involved in water conservation and climate change issues

The Youth Summit is held in over a one-week period in June of each year

2011 will mark the 3rd Annual Youth Summit on Water and Climate Change

What happens at the Summit? Excursions: Learners are taken on excursions to various sites such as water treatment plants, water boards …

Youth Debate: A forum for debate is held each year on issues of water and climate change. Teams of learners compete against each other on specified topics.

Clinics: Experts in the field of water and climate change provide interesting lectures on topical issues.

Exhibitions – Learners are exposed to various stakeholders in the water sector – who exhibit and discuss water sector careers and latest technologies

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What happens at the Summit? National Awards Ceremony – The

Deputy Minister hosts an Awards ceremony on the final day of the summit to acknowledge excellence in teaching and learning on issues of water and climate change.

Winners of the Various Competitions like BLM and Youth Debate receive prizes and certificates of excellence from the Minister

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Youth Summit 201225-30 June

2012Durban

South Africa

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