Students and teachers of Kumbosgo Junior High School in the Bolga East District have developed locally made whiteboards and dusters using recycled materials in an effort to improve teaching and learning in the school.
The innovation, led by the students with support from teachers, uses styrofoam-like materials and other waste products collected during community clean-up exercises.
A pupil of the school, Yintubi Yinborti, said the idea started after students noticed large amounts of waste materials around the school and community.
She explained that the students first produced dusters before expanding the project to include whiteboards and markers.
Yinborti said the innovation has improved learning in the school as teaching methods continue to evolve from the traditional blackboard system to the use of whiteboards.
She added that the project has attracted interest from other schools, with some requesting for similar whiteboards to be produced for them.
The headteacher of Kumbosgo Junior High School, Abubakari Ayariga, said the project was inspired by the high cost of purchasing teaching and learning materials.
According to him, the students applied concepts they learned in class, particularly on mixtures, by dissolving styrofoam with petrol to create glue for the production process.
Ayariga said the locally produced dusters are sold at lower prices compared to those on the market, making them affordable for schools.
He further called on NGOs, institutions and corporate organizations to support the initiative with tools and funding to enable the students expand production.
The headteacher also urged schools across the country to encourage innovation and recycling among students to help solve local educational challenges.
