Environment Education Bus Pilot Launch

After the launch in Surat, the bus participated in the first open event at Bal Vividha at Unai, Surat from 18-20^th February 2005. The event was organized by Comet Media Foundation, a Mumbai based NGO which researches and produces communication materials on themes such as education, environment, health, gender issues and the history of science. Comet Media organizes this kind of educational fairs in association with CEE.

 Coordinating Agency

Nature Club Surat is coordinating the bus activities in schools in  Surat. Volunteers from Nature Club Surat along with two volunteers from CEE are undertaking the bus activities. A training of volunteers was conducted on February 17, 2005 in Surat, which included orientation on the set of activities to be conducted and feedback process.

Environment Education Bus activities

About 12,000 visitors comprising students, teachers and parents from rural and urban areas from the district visited the bus during this event. It was a big attraction amongst the local tribal children, especially the interactives.

National Green Corps, a programme supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India focusing on School Eco-Clubs is being conducted in 150 urban and rural schools every district of India. Nature Club Surat is coordinating agency for this programme in Surat. The Nature Club Surat has approached National Green Corps schools for the bus visit. Every day the bus is visiting one - two schools depending upon the bus schedule. During the period, the bus visited 11 schools of Surat city which included both English medium and Gujarati medium schools. The target group was the primary and secondary students. Also the bus was kept at one community place wherein the purpose was explained to the general public. About 4,300 students and teachers have taken benefit till date. Activities such as web of life, Snakes & Ladders and wishing tree are popular with the students. Teachers respond positively to the innovative approaches which they can use during their teaching.

Feedback/ suggestions from students and general community

The students seem to have responded positively to the bus as it has a different approach to learning. The teachers are showing their active participation as they feel these are innovative and interesting ways to teach and learn about the environment. They are also encouraging about the initiative taken through this project. The school principals are willing to set up the resource centre at their respective schools. At Unai, every one appreciated the efforts and want the bus to revisit.