Corpn students to get lessons in source segregation

According to Alby John, Chennai Corporation deputy commissioner (Education), ‘Trashnomics’ lessons would be started in as many as 50 Chennai Corporation schools from January 1. “The lessons on source segregation and recycling of useful items will be taught to students studying in Class 7 and Class 8,” he said.

Alby John added that the initiative would increase awareness on source segregation among school students and they would learn the waste processing methods more effectively. Also, deputy commissioner clarified that no examination would be conducted based on the lessons and the intent is to create awareness only.

It is learnt that the civic body has tied up with Cityworks, a city-based NGO, to coordinate the programme. Similar kind of initiative is already being conducted in schools in Bengaluru. Kavitha Selvaraj of Cityworks said that the syllabus has been prepared by Solid Waste Management Round Table, Bengaluru (SWMRT). 

“We have translated the syllabus in Tamil. We will coordinate the Chennai Corporation and volunteers to conduct the classes. Sessions will be conducted once a week for one month,” she said. She added that ‘Trashnomics’ classes are conducted in three Chennai Corporation schools on a pilot basis.

“The classes will include topics on garbage segregation, consuming resource responsibly, recycling of useful items and upscaling of waste. As a part of the initiative, workshops will be conducted for the students. This programme is designed in a way not affecting the usual curriculum of the students,” she explained. 

Apart from conducting the classes, Cityworks would also coordinate waste recycling and source segregation initiatives in the schools even after the sessions are completed.