ZeroPlastic Club Conducts Green Step Phase 2.1 Awareness Programme at Thihagoda Dhamma School

The ZeroPlastic Club of the University of Ruhuna conducted Green Step – Phase 2.1, an environmental awareness programme for school students at Siri Rathana Jyothi Pirivena, Urupola, Thihagoda, on 23 August 2026. The programme, held from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., was attended by 88 school students of Siri Rathana Jyothi Dhamma School, Urupola, Thihagoda.

The programme was organized to educate young learners about the harmful effects of plastic pollution on the environment, wildlife, and human health. Particular attention was given to the negative impacts of single-use plastics and the importance of adopting eco-friendly alternatives in everyday life.

ZeroPlastic volunteers carried out an interactive awareness session that included question-and-answer activities designed to engage the school students and encourage active participation. The session provided the young participants with an opportunity to share their existing knowledge while learning about environmentally responsible practices. Eco-friendly pens were awarded as gifts to the winners of the interactive activities, reinforcing their engagement with the subject matter.

As a practical component of the programme, a Mee plant (Madhuca longifolia) was planted within the temple premises with the support and participation of the school students. This hands-on activity gave the young learners a direct experience of environmental conservation and underscored the importance of protecting greenery and biodiversity.

The programme combined environmental education with participatory activities, offering the school students both knowledge and practical engagement. By reaching young learners at the Dhamma school, the ZeroPlastic Club aimed to foster environmentally responsible habits from an early age and encourage the participants to carry their awareness into their families and wider communities.

Green Step – Phase 2.1 represents a continued effort by the ZeroPlastic Club of the University of Ruhuna to extend envir…