How Can Schools Help in Water Conservation?

They say, ignorance is bliss but nature now savagely strikes back by saying, “Do not mess with me!�

How Can Schools Help in Water Conservation?

They say, ignorance is bliss but nature now savagely strikes back by saying, “Do not mess with me!” Mother Nature has lost the tolerance with the wise earthly beings constantly living in delusion and carelessly using the natural resources to their own will.

How often do we think about nature?

During vacations or while writing Instagram captions? Incredible nature, nature’s therapy, and many clever words weaved together when at the same time the kitchen faucet continues leaking in the backdrop.

The reality is sad. Truly.

Nature has always taken a back seat everywhere. You experience the ignorance at workplaces, schools, colleges, homes, restaurants and every other place where humans have set their foot. The buildings have touched the skies and so have the pollutants. Every year on June 5, you see some people planting trees and giving toothy smiles for the camera and as the sun sets, the routine of harnessing the resources recklessly continues. And now, when the situation in India calls for a water emergency, we are all shocked in dismay? Is this really a sudden catastrophe when the statistics say that more than half of the country is in water crisis?

Time for self-evaluation, peeps!

Jal Shakti Abhiyan

The Government of India with the constant reports of acute water storage coming from different parts of India has launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan to encourage the masses to save water. This initiative is heavily emphasizing on creating a mass movement for water conservation in India. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan effective since July 1, 2019, focuses on the following areas:

Water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks.
Reuse and recharge structures.
Watershed development.
Intensive afforestation.

This whole situation demands participation and most importantly the attention of all the citizens from the seniority to Gen Z. As every drop count, every citizen counts. Every citizen should understand the importance of water conservation and the gravity of the whole situation.

There is another interesting facet to human behaviour and saving water. In many cases, you’ll see folks trying to effectively run ‘how to save water’ campaigns but restricted to their homes. But when it comes to saving water outside their comfort zone, the entire concept of water conservation goes ‘poof’ in thin air. It is never taken seriously till imposed. For instance, every so often you see water leaking heavily from public restrooms on busy streets but somehow it is invisible to the crowd. Must be magic!

How to save water in schools?

When reflecting views on water conservation outside the home, schools are one such places where water is used in large quantities. Schools use an abundance of water on a daily basis for restrooms, drinking water facilities, laboratories, canteens, maintenance, etc. It is important that these institutions understand the necessity of saving water in today’s situation and implement water conservation programs with the participation of teachers, students, and other working staff associated.

Let’s go through some water conservation tips for schools and take the following step-wise approach as an example:

Step 1

The first step towards implementing a fruitful initiative is by starting with the teachers. The school management can organize workshops for teachers giving them the idea of the situation, the details of the initiative and most importantly explaining them their crucial role in making the program successful. The workshop should inspire teachers who in turn can motivate the children to participate wholeheartedly in the campaign.

Step 2

Students that form most of the school population can be segregated in different groups according to their age and with respect to their form of participation. Primary class students can be introduced to the concept of water crisis and conservation through drawings and paintings. Making the younger students at least aware of the situation could be the first step. Teachers can take the help of secondary class students to help them make colorful and effective posters to display on every notice board present in the corridors and classrooms.

The school can even arrange the screening of various documentaries related to the initiative to help students understand the need and value of water more effectively.

Now, apart from spreading awareness through posters and documents, the school should encourage students to get in the field. For instance, the school management or teachers can distribute circulars titled ‘How to save water as a student’ in every classroom.

Following are the points you can include in the circular:

Inform the school maintenance staff or teachers in case of any leakages in the restroom or in the drinking water taps or coolers.
Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Close the running tap if you see any.
Inform of any water waste to the teachers immediately.
Avoid overuse of water during drawing and painting classes.
Throw the leftover water in the garden or plant stand after use.

The above guidelines should be followed by the working staff as well.

Step 3

The school management should also train the maintenance staff to avoid overuse of water in cleaning and other related purposes. The staff should be aware of any leakage in the restrooms or any other water dispensing facility throughout the school campus. They should act upon any water wastage as soon as possible.

Schools can play a major role in water conservation by creating massive awareness so that such a catastrophe doesn’t relapse with more adversities in the future. It is our responsibility to give the future generations a sustainable future with a good percentage of drinking water than grounds with concrete and air with carbon monoxide. Schools are an excellent platform to introduce such campaigns and get a lot of support from the 315 million student population of India.

This is a work that requires organization, unity and most importantly motivation to help the environment keep maintaining its 1% percent of accessible fresh water. (The percentage is already so low that we can’t afford to go less than that.)

It is a lot of hard work and requires priority and a call to action because time can never be brought back; nature works the same way.

As said by William Shakespeare,

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”

Similarly, one nudge from nature can certainly make the whole world spin.

Humans assemble!

Save Water Save Life.

Also Read: Entrepreneurial Education: Why it’s important to begin early.

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