Two such gardens have already been created at Yeri schools, which were officially inaugurated yesterday by Education Minister Kyriacos Kenevezos (front right) (PIO)
ORGANIC vegetable gardens are to be grown in 100 schools islandwide to get students involved in the process of nurturing crops and to teach them to be more environmentally friendly.
Premier Shukuroglou Cyprus Ltd, a company that offers products and services in the fields of crop protection, animal health, public health and industrial chemicals, will donate the compost and instructions on how the organic plants should be grown. Solomou Nurseries Ltd, a garden centre and landscaping service, will donate the plants.
Two vegetable gardens have already been created in the elementary and secondary schools in Yeri. Lettuce, onions, parsley and other vegetables were planted about two months ago. Other vegetable gardens will be planted in schools that want to take part in the programme. Once the crops are ready, the students can take some vegetables home.
“Students will soon have the ability to come into daily contact with nature and learn how to grow their own organic vegetables,” said a statement.
During an event to officially inaugurate the programme yesterday in Geri, Education Minister Kyriacos Kenevezos said: “The vegetable gardens can help children learn key concepts and help them strengthen their connection with nature. Students can also become familiar with a scientific way of thinking through monitoring, investigating and interpreting various biological phenomena.”
Kenevezos complimented the school on its good work and said the efforts that had gone into creating the garden provided a very good example to other schools.
“The vegetable gardens do not only teach the children how to grow crops but it also teaches them to add vegetables to their diet and therefore to lead a healthier lifestyle,” said Ioanna Panayiotou, Environment Commissioner and Green Party head.
At the end of the event students gave Kenevezos and many people who were present some vegetables from their garden.
The elementary and high schools in Yeri regularly take part in the Eco-Schools programme. “We asked which students were interested in taking part in these events and small teams of eight to ten pupils were created. In this way all students have the chance to take part in the Eco-Schools programme,” headmaster of the secondary school, George Antoniou said.
“Whenever the students have a free period or when they have free time they can go to water and attend to the garden. Their time is used in a creative manner and there are always teachers with them to help and supervise their work,” Antoniou said.
This programme was initiated by Premier Shukuroglou Cyprus Ltd. The company approached the education ministry and the planting of organic vegetable gardens became a part of the Eco-Schools European programme.
Schools that are interested in becoming part of the programme can contact Premier Shukuroglou Cyprus Ltd on 22815353 or send an email to contact@premier.com.cy
More information about organic vegetables gardens can be found at www.lawnandgarden.com.cy
An event to launch the creation of an organic herb garden by around 20 students from the Athienou secondary school will be held today at 10.30am at the Kleanthiou community home. The planting of organic herb gardens is a collaboration between the Recycling and Environmental Organisation, the Kleanthiou community home, the Athienou high school and the adult centre.
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