By Perpetua Murungweni
Four learners from Masvingo province are among the winners of the National Ozone competitions held in commemoration of World Ozone Day on September 16.
The learners walked away with cash prizes ranging between US$50 and US$75 each while their schools got US$50 each.
The competitions were sponsored by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and National Ozone Unit (NOU) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE).
The prizes were presented to winners at a ceremony held on September 19 at Chevron Hotel.
World Ozone Day which is commemorated annually on September 16, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol is aimed at raising public awareness on activities that could cause Ozone depletion.
2 087 learners participated in the completion nationwide and only 18 winners were selected. Three winners were selected per category and the categories were ECD A to grade two, grades three to four, five to seven, forms one to two, forms three to four and forms five to six.
Out of the 18 winners, four of them were from Masvingo province; two primary learners from Hellen Mcghie and two secondary learners; one from Hebron High School in Mwenezi and another from St Engenas Zivavose High School in Zaka.
Amukelani Hlungwani from Hebron High School was in third position in the form three to four category and walked away with US$50 and the school also got US$50. Enough Majaura from Zivavose scooped second position in the forms five to six category and was given US$ 75 while his school got US$ 50.
Hellen Mcghie winners were Samara Sosola from ECD who bagged third position and won US$50 and another US$50 for the school as well as Kunashe Chimuti who came second in the grades three to four category and walked away with US$75 while the school got another US$50.
Hellen Macghie Deputy Headmaster Anna Gwini said the competition was not just a competition for the kids but it was also a learning process for them in matters that have to do with climate change.
“In this competition as the learners were doing their writeups, they came across some words in connection with the Ozone layer and in the process they had to research to find meaning thereby increasing their knowledge and developing awareness on Ozone layer protection.
Hebron High School Head John Mangani said the completion had imparted learners with knowledge and information on the effects of ozone depletion.
“The competition is not about winning but about the training and knowledge of the ozone layer and it should go a long way in making sure that learners know the dangers and effects of ozone depletion and how to combat it. The learners will cascade information into the community so that people are aware of the possible hazards of using certain fuels that damage the ozone layer,”said Mangani.
MoPSE Education Research Director Dr Patrick Ngandini said the competition was a must-take for all schools as it gives learners knowledge on climate management.
“There is need to continuously hold these competitions as they benefit schools and enhance stakeholder participation because if people don’t understand these issues, the ignorance will affect us in the future,” said Ngandini.
