Training Workshop for Teachers on the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Model

Abstract

The Uganda National Commission for UNESCO has the mandate to ensure implementation of activities of UNESCO in the country including the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. The activities of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development in Uganda commenced in Uganda in 2007 after the adoption of the implementation plan. The Ministry of Education and Sports is the lead ministry and chair of the ESD Steering Committee, while the Uganda National Commission is the Secretariat. The Commission has been implementing activities in line with the National ESD Strategy. Significant achievements have been made, especially in the areas of advocacy and public awareness as well as interventions in schools. Teachers and teacher trainers country wide have been trained on ESD projects and UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) have implemented activities based on Education for Sustainable Development as a theme. A network of 80 schools countrywide has been established and is already carrying out various interventions such as waste management, tree planting, and advocacy. The network includes UNESCO ASPnet schools and other schools whose teachers were trained on Education for Sustainable Development. UNATCOM developed a change project titled "Developing a model for schools and surrounding communities on sustainable integrated water resource management." The change project was part of the Commission's activities that involved five selected schools initiating projects on ESD. The change project offered an opportunity for the NATCOM to engage in a multi-sectoral approach of Education for Sustainable Development through the Natural Science and Education programmes, in partnership with the Associated Schools Project network (ASPnet) schools and communities around them. The Change project provided a holistic education to the students and the communities and empowered them to take charge of their water affairs. This enabled them to address issues of access to clean water. And in so doing reducing distances to water sources besides reducing the risks of water borne diseases. The change project was a strategic approach because learning and action took place at 3 levels: ⚫ At the individual level, the approach enhanced knowledge, skills and commitment of teachers, students and community members in sustainable water resource management. At the organizational level, the approach strengthened the Commission's capacity in water resource management through the Schools and Community involvement. It also strengthened the Commission's work of awareness creation, networking, liaison, think tank and communication on water issues, advocacy for proper usage of the areas around water sources, community dialogue and engagement, influenced action, popularized water and environment issues and strengthened the capacities of the trainees. At the societal level, it provided an opportunity for connecting with broader structures and decision-making processes through partnership building, networking and policy influence. The project was been rolled out in the Kyoga Basin where 30 schools were trained on the IWRM model. Visits were also conducted in the schools to guide the implementation of the model and the workshop report has been printed for dissemination.