Anjali, a second year Necessary Teacher Training Programme (NeTT) student at District Institute of Education and Training (D.I.E.T.) Beeswa Meel, Sonepat is a focused and enthusiastic student-teacher. Her passion for children and environment shines with equal fervor when she shares that “Planting seeds, caring for them and seeing them grow into beautiful fruit laden trees is similar to caring and nurturing the children I teach. I believe that, just like love and care help children grow beautifully, similarly love and care for plants helps them grow and bloom into the life giving miracles that they are. As a student-teacher, I often draw parallels between these two activities. NeTT has been a rewarding experience for me, as its activities and worldly approach has taught me to care for nature and pass on my knowledge and empathy for the planet to my students.”

As part of HPPI’s environment conservation programme, educational interventions are regularly organized to increase awareness among students. Environmental Theme weeks, Environmental Days and Tree Plantation are some of the activities periodically conducted at the Government Primary School, Model Town, Sonepat, where Anjali teaches.
Show and tell sessions with indigenous flora and fauna, weeding and watering action, audio and visual multi-media tools like art competitions, creating educational posters and showcasing documentaries on climate change and global warming are some of the prolific activities that sensitize students towards the importance of environmental conservation and the dire consequences of abusing natural resources. These initiatives are aimed at spreading awareness about the environment among the school children.

To increase student participation and understanding, Tree Planting action is carried out with them throughout the monsoon season. Students are engaged in planting saplings, learning about how they grow, watering them and caring for them. Instilling a sense of belonging and ownership towards these saplings has contributed to students understanding their role in climate change mitigation and become proactive contributors to environmental preservation and green cover management.

“NeTT had a great impact on shaping me as a teacher; it taught me to never underestimate the collective power of young students as the future generation. The proactive collaboration of students is paramount in future proofing the environment and ensuring a sustainable world” claims Anjali.