29 Jun 2023

Standard Chartered Bank Gaborone has been commended for its noble initiative in helping to mitigate the effects of climate change as well as inculcating the culture of planting trees to learners as embedded in their curriculum.

Welcoming the bank’s representatives recently, Maraka Junior Seconday School head, Ms Smilet Magwegwe said the donation of 120 trees planted at the school’s orchid, was timely because it would assist learners to gain basic knowledge on tree planting as well as play a role in the country’s road to fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The trees included, among others mogwana, morojwa and moretlwa.

On the school’s overall academic performance, Ms Magwegwe said that had since improved from 34 per cent in 2021 to 43 per cent last year’s Junior Certificate Examinations (JCE) results.

“We have set our target to 49 per cent overall pass rate in the JC results,” she added.

On the other hand, she decried the poor reading culture by learners, something she said would require that they equipped the school library books as a way of inculcating the spirit of reading.

She indicated that the 13-stream school, with an intake of 397 learners, lacked a recreational hall, which could also be used as a refectory.

“Due to unavailability of the school hall, we usually face challenges especially when we have to conduct physical education lessons for our learners,” she said.

Among other challenges she outlined shortage of notebooks and exercise book, printing paper, which she attributed to lack of funds.

For his part, the bank’s business development manager, Mr Itumeleng Senna said they were on a mission to plant 12 000 fruit trees across the country.

Mr Senna said they had thus far planted 500 trees at some schools and they were open to those interested in the initiative.

“We are hopeful that this will make a lasting impact in efforts to restore and preserve our environment,” he said.

Mr Senna indicated that tress were vital in human as they provided oxygen, stored carbon, stabilised the soil and gave life to wildlife.

“They also provide us with materials for tools, clothing and shelter,” he added.

On the health benefits, he said, trees acted as physical filters thus trapping dust and absorbing pollutants from the air which can be harmful to human life.

“They also provide shade from the solar radiation. They reduce noise. They have medicinal properties as well. Research has shown that when one is surrounded by trees and green space the blood pressure drops, the heart rate slows and stress levels go down,” he said.

He further indicated that environment benefits included absorbing carbon dioxide as they grew and the carbon that they stored in them helped to slow the rate of global warming.

“Trees reduce wind speeds and cools the air as they lose moisture and reflect heat upwards from their leaves, which can reduce temperature of a place by up to 7℃. They also help prevent flooding and soil erosion,” he said.

Again, he said trees boosted wildlife and also hosted complex microhabitats as they offered habitation and food to amazing communities of birds and insects, beautified the environment as such promoted local pride.

“They are also invaluable for children to play in and allow them to be adventurous. It is for all these benefits that we believe we need to plant trees including the fact that trees are sources of food as they provide us with fruits we can extract juice from them to make drinks,” he said.

He was optimistic that the future generation would benefit from the noble initiative academically and further explore such experiences in their everyday lives to enrich themselves. ENDS