Manama, April 14 (BNA) The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) handed over 330 trees and shrubs to the Ministry of Education, during a ceremony held at Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School.
It will be awarded to various schools in Bahrain as part of a campaign to spread agricultural culture in schools, promote patriotism, instill environmental values among students and create a civilized generation that understands the importance of afforestation and the preservation and sustainability of environmental resources.
The trees were chosen because of their dense nature, their canopies, their great ability to purify the air, and their suitability to the environment of the Kingdom, and were provided by Matsky Dental and Dermatology Center, Development Chicken, Bahr Detergents Company, and Radio Mirchi, Bahrain.
School participation, as part of the Forever Green campaign, promotes afforestation in educational institutions, creates a healthy environment, reduces pollution and carbon emissions, and adds to school landscaping.
On the sidelines of the event, a mini-exhibition was held to highlight the history of Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School as the first school established in Bahrain.
Many students have been involved in planting trees and seedlings to inculcate environmental values in them, promoting agricultural culture, and increasing students’ engagement with the environment.
The ceremony was attended by the Secretary-General of NAID Sheikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, the Director General of Schools, Mohammed Mubarak bin Ahmed, and education officials.
Sheikha Maram expressed her “great pride in the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Education in its endeavors to support the Forever Green campaign.”
She said that the greening of Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School is the beginning of an extended work, and in the next stages of the campaign, schools will have an important role in achieving the campaign’s goals.
She added that the school was chosen based on its strong symbolic importance to Bahrain and its people.
The initiative, through this important partnership with the Ministry, aims to instill environmental values and promote a culture of pro-agriculture among school students because they are the basis of change and on whom we rely to complete the process of preserving and enhancing the environment. “Expanding green spaces,” Sheikha Maram said.
This will contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals, and in implementation of the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain to reach zero neutrality by 2060, and to meet the challenges of climate change and environmental protection.”
Dr. Mohamed praised the partnership between the Ministry of Education and NIAD.
He praised the support that educational institutions receive from the initiative, and Sheikha Maram’s interest in involving school institutions in afforestation programs and greening operations throughout Bahrain.
He explained that the Ministry of Education began developing its educational curricula to include topics and activities concerned with agriculture, environment and hygiene.
He added that the ministry is keen to implement the government’s goals set for the development of the agricultural sector and attention to the environment and to educate students and parents about the importance of these global elements in citizenship curricula and school activities.
Prashant Panday, CEO of Radio Mirchi, expressed his pride in participating in the Forever Green campaign.
“The radio’s contribution during the blessed month of Ramadan to the initiative to plant more than 330 trees and shrubs in various schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain is a patriotic act and we are proud to support it and be a part of it,” he said.
“We greatly appreciate the great national efforts made by the National Institute of Mathematics and the Ministry of Education, to give us the opportunity as a private sector to contribute to supporting the educational process by providing an ideal healthy environment for students.”
The National Detergent Company (NDC) Sales Head said that NDC has always believed in supporting activities that ensure the sustainability of nature and the preservation of natural resources.
He said, “We praised the capabilities of Sheikha Maram bin Isa Al Khalifa in leading the National Initiative team, the Ministry of Education and Radio Mirchi to carry out these activities, and we hope that more companies will participate in this campaign.” .
Dr. Muhammad Al-Ansari from Matsky Dental and Dermatology Center praised the national campaign and stressed that the increase in afforestation is directly reflected in reducing global warming and enhancing air quality and purity, which prompted them as a private sector to contribute to the electoral campaign.
Mohammed Rafi, Branch Manager of Supreme Foods Company, said that Poultry Development Company pledged to create an environmentally friendly, green and healthy environment for current and future generations in Bahrain.