By: Ibrahim Turay
Action Against Hunger (ACF), the lead implementing partner of the Nutrition-sensitive Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Programme (NuCAMPS), in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), has successfully concluded a joint training on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change and Environmental Education (CCEE) in Matru Jong, Bonthe District.
The training brought together education stakeholders, including teachers, school administrators, education officials, and community representatives, with the aim of enhancing their knowledge and skills in climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable practices.
Participants were equipped with practical tools and strategies to integrate climate and environmental education into school curricula and community learning spaces.
The primary objective of the training was to promote climate-smart education within the school curriculum. The sessions covered DRR and CCEE classroom practices, including key topics such as the causes and impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, the role of education in promoting sustainable development, guidance for educators, climate anxiety, and coping mechanisms for climate-related stress and anxiety.
Over the course of the two-day intensive training, facilitators led interactive sessions with special emphasis on the vulnerability of coastal and island communities such as Bonthe to climate-related risks, including sea-level rise, flooding, mangrove depletion, and changing weather patterns affecting livelihoods.
Participants actively engaged in group discussions, practical exercises, and experience-sharing sessions, drawing from local examples and challenges faced by communities in the district. The participatory approach encouraged critical thinking and strengthened collaboration among stakeholders from different schools and institutions.
Speaking during the sessions, Osman Kamara, Director of Research and Curriculum Development at MBSSE, explained the importance of climate change education. According to him, children and women need the skills, knowledge, and abilities to respond effectively to climate change and other environmental challenges in order to help mitigate risks and build resilience.
At the opening ceremony, Ibrahim Turay, Gender and Advocacy Manager at ACF, highlighted the organization’s commitment to supporting communities in adopting climate-smart practices through education and capacity building.
“Empowering educators and local stakeholders is critical to building long-term resilience. Children and young people are powerful agents of change when given the right knowledge and skills,” he stated.
Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara, Chairperson of the Oversight Committee on Education in the Sierra Leone Parliament, emphasized the importance of mainstreaming climate change and environmental education within the national education system.
She noted that teachers play a central role in shaping environmentally responsible attitudes among learners, particularly in climate-vulnerable districts such as Bonthe. She added that the training aligns with national efforts to promote climate-responsive education and sustainable development.
At the conclusion of the training, participants expressed appreciation to ACF and MBSSE for organizing the initiative, noting that the knowledge and skills gained would help them better educate learners and communities on climate action and environmental protection.
Many participants pledged to cascade the training to fellow teachers and incorporate climate-smart practices into their schools and communities.
The two-day intensive training marks an important step toward strengthening climate change and environmental education in Bonthe District and reflects the shared commitment of ACF and MBSSE to building a resilient and environmentally conscious generation in Sierra Leone.