Morogoro. On July 23rd, 26 students from Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam embarked on an educational field trip to Morogoro. The primary aim was to provide a hands-on learning experience that would deepen their understanding and engagement with climate action.
While sustainable development forms a crucial part of the curriculum at Aga Khan Education Service (AKES), Tanzania, the importance of real-world experiences to complement classroom learning cannot be overstated. This field trip was designed to create a thematic day focused on climate action.
The core activities of the trip took place in Morogoro, where Mzizima students were joined by 15 students from Morogoro Secondary School. They visited the Maendeleo Project, an initiative led by the Aga Khan Foundation.
The initiative features Green Champions: young Tanzanians and unemployed agricultural technicians who are trained to work with farmers, imparting best practices in nutrition and regenerative farming.
The day’s journey began at Sokoine University, from where the students hiked 7 kilometers into the Mgambazi Mountains. This hike not only allowed them to bond with their peers from Morogoro but also to appreciate the breathtaking landscape and reconnect with nature.
Once at their destination, the Green Champions and the local mountain community welcomed the students and engaged them in an organic agriculture demonstration. They learned to transplant chili pepper plants and were educated on the best types of manure for planting.
Margreth Raphael, a Form 4 student following the National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA) curriculum at Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam, expressed, “Personally, I think environmental awareness is important because it helps individuals and communities understand the pressing issues facing our planet, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change”.
Margreth advise students to be aware and take actions to conserve natural resources and protect biodiversity.
The students were also encouraged to consider how they could bring their newfound knowledge back to their community. Ideas such as creating a kitchen garden near the school canteen were proposed and eagerly discussed.
Taking action Margreth committed, “My contribution to having a positive impact on the environment is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. We can minimize waste by opting for reusable items, recycling materials like plastic, and reducing single-use plastic”.
She added that, “We can also conserve water by using it efficiently at home and in daily activities, fixing leaks promptly, and considering installing water-saving devices”.
Another Form 4 student Jackson Yambo, noted, “Environmental awareness is important because it helps societies know about various issues we face on our planet, such as global warming, habitat destruction, and pollution”.
Yambo said that by knowing these issues, they will be able to conserve the environment and prevent the planet from pollution and global warming. Hence, contributing to having a positive impact on the environment by planting trees, recycling, reducing the use of plastics, using electric vehicles instead of those that use fuel, and educating others about environmental conservation.
AKES Tanzania was proud to offer a plastic-free trip, encouraging students to bring their reusable bottles and leveraging the eco-friendly Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
This is where the journey began: from Dar es Salaam on Tanzania’s first electric train, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). The choice of the SGR for this trip underscored the AKES commitment to sustainable mobility solutions that enhance regional connectivity while being environmentally friendly.
The students were presented by the railway staffs that the train uses electricity, which is a more sustainable option compared to traditional gas or oil.
Beyond the educational aspects, the trip provided an excellent opportunity for students to forge lasting relationships with their counterparts from Morogoro Secondary School.
For many, this was their first visit to Morogoro, allowing them to learn about the area while engaging with local students. This exchange fostered new friendships and embodied the values of sharing and cooperation that are central to AKES Tanzania mission.
Accompanying the students on the trip were Ms Mariam Mwakabenga from the Tanzanian Institute of Education and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shelina Walli.
