The Andrews Labor Government is backing the next round of an environmental program where Victorian school kids teach each other about sustainability.
Minister for Water Lisa Neville launched this year’s Kids Teaching Kids Week at Melbourne Girls College in Richmond today and announced another $200,000 for the Victorian program, in addition to last year’s $200,000 investment.
Kids Teaching Kids is a free, national, peer teaching program about sustainability that empowers school students to contribute to their local environment, build resilience, boost self-esteem and connect with their community.
The funding announced today will ensure another 200 Victorian schools can receive $500 each to cover the cost of participation – meaning schools can get involved regardless of their socio-economic status.
Approximately 135,000 school children have participated in the program since it began 19 years ago.
This year, around 10,000 students will take part in 57 events happening nationally during Kids Teaching Kids Week between 3-7 September. The events include workshops where students will share what they have learned about the environment with other schools.
Minister Neville also announced that Cheryl Batagol, Chair of Victoria’s Environmental Protection Authority, will be the program’s new ambassador.
The Labor Government is also helping schools teach children to save water, supporting more than 1,000 Victorian schools to save 5.7 billion litres of water through the Schools Water Efficiency Program.
This supports the Government’s reinstated Target 155 program, which encourages Victorian households to use 155 litres of water per person per day.
These programs are in line with the Labor Government’s policies to promote Victoria’s environment for current and future generations.
These include Water for Victoria, Biodiversity – 2037, the Climate Change Act 2017 and the Victorian Renewable Energy Targets.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s environmental leaders and Kids Teaching Kids is a great way to empower children to make a meaningful difference to their local environment.”
“I hope all the children participating in the program continue a lifetime connection with the environment that this fantastic program so successfully kicks off.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020