The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) has handed over 330 trees and shrubs to the Ministry of Education during a ceremony held at Al-Hedaya Al-Khalifia School.
They will be given to various schools in Bahrain under a drive to spread agricultural culture in schools, strengthen patriotism, instill environmental values among students and create a civilized generation aware of the importance of afforestation and the preservation and sustainability of environmental resources.
The trees, selected for their canopy and dense nature, their great ability to purify the air, and their suitability to the Kingdom’s environment, were provided by Matski Dental and Dermatology Center, Tanmiah Chicken, Bahar Detergents Company, and Radio Mirchi, Bahrain.
The engagement of the schools, as part of the Forever Green campaign, consolidate the afforestation process in the educational institutions, creates a healthy environment, reduces the effects of pollution and carbon emissions, and adds to school landscaping.
On the sidelines of the event, a mini-exhibition was held to highlight the history of Al Hedaya Al Khalifia School as the first school established in Bahrain.
Several students participated in the planting of the trees and seedlings to instill in them environmental values, enhance agricultural culture, and increase student engagement with the environment.
NIAD Secretary-General Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, General Director of Schools Mohammed Mubarak Bin Ahmed, and education officials were present during the ceremony.
Shaikha Maram expressed her “great pride in the continuous partnership with the Ministry of Education and in its endeavors to support the Forever Green campaign.
The greening of Al Hidaya Al Khalifia School is the start of an extended work and in the next stages of the campaign, schools will have an important role in achieving the campaign’s goals, she said.
The school was selected on the merit of its potent symbolic significance for Bahrain and its people, she added.
“The initiative aims, through this important partnership with the Ministry, to instill environmental values and enhance a pro-agriculture culture among school students because they are the basis of change and those on whom we rely to complete the process of preserving the environment and promoting the expansion of green spaces,” Shaikha Maram said.
“This will contribute to achieving the goals of sustainable development, and in implementation of the vision of His Royal Highness the Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the Kingdom of Bahrain to reach zero neutrality by the year 2060, and to meet the challenges of climate change and protection of the environment.”
Dr Mohammed hailed the partnership between the Ministry of Education and NIAD.
He praised the support that educational institutions receive from the initiative, and Shaikha Maram’s interest in involving school institutions within their afforestation programs and greening operations throughout Bahrain.
The Ministry of Education has started developing its educational curricula to cover topics and activities concerned with agriculture, environment and cleaning, he said.
The ministry is keen to implement the government goals set for the development of the agricultural sector, attention to the environment and raising awareness among students and parents of the importance of these global elements in citizenship curricula and school activities, he added.
Radio Mirchi Station Head Ajay Pillai expressed pride in participating in the Forever Green campaign.
“The contribution of the radio in the blessed month of Ramadan to the initiative to plant more than 330 trees and shrubs in various schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain is an act of patriotism, and we are proud to support it and to be part of it,” he said.
“We value dearly the great national efforts by NIAD and the Ministry of Education, to offer us the opportunity as a private sector to contribute to supporting the educational process by providing an ideal healthy environment for students.”
The National Detergent Company (NDC) head of sales said NDC has always believed in supporting activities that ensure the sustainability of nature and the preservation of natural resources.
“We commended the capabilities of Shaikha Maram bin Isa Al Khalifa in leading the National Initiative work team, the Ministry of Education and Radio Mirchi to carry out such activities, and we hope that more companies will be a part of this drive,” he said.
Mohammed Ansary from Matski Dental and Dermatology at Seef praised the national campaign and stressed that the increase in afforestation is directly reflected in reducing global warming and boosting the quality and purity of the air, which prompted them as a private sector to contribute to the campaign.
Mohammed Rafi, Branch Manager of Supreme Foods, said that Tanmiah Chickens has pledged to create an eco-friendly, green and healthy environment for present and future generations in Bahrain.