To Sunday Shillong,
This is in reference to the two reports, ‘Connecting with Mother Nature’ and ‘Several schools grow vegetables…’ which were published on August 11. With our surroundings becoming less and less green everyday and our children losing their playgrounds, it is necessary that we all try our best to add some green to their lives. Children spend substantial time in schools and they, in the company of same-aged students, are usually more energetic during that time. So if every school can introduce some practical environmental studies, it will create a healthier atmosphere for children. Small gardens or decent farms, according to availability of space, will not only make the campus look green but also keep the air fresh. To make the existing education system less rigorous, some schools can think out of the box and introduce outdoor classes. Some subjects like literature, botany and environmental science are best taught in the open.
Besides, vegetables and fruits grown in these gardens or farms can be used either for midday meal or distributing among students and staff.
Kitchen gardens or farms in schools located in urban areas can also help in bridging the rural-urban gap in our society that is only widening by the day because of the disparity in economic conditions in these two areas. Those children who belong to nuclear urban families will have a first-hand experience of farming. They will also understand how much effort is required to grow foodgrain and vegetables, which they eat every day.
It is a laudable initiative by some schools under the government scheme on one hand and NESFAS on the other. Such an initiative should be introduced in every school and the government and other stakeholders should insist on schools adopting it. This way we can still save some green around us and give our children a better future.
Thanking you
Gavin Kharshandy