A national programme to change attitudes and behaviour to water use & value and to build relevant skills for the water sector
Ethiopia, November 2010
AMCOW MEETING
Department of Water Affairs: South Africa

 Problem Statement
 Framework for Water Literacy Initiative
 Major Objective
 Key Objectives
 Key Programmes
 Curriculum Support Programme
 Action Projects
 Youth Summit on Water and Climate Change
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 SA is a water scarce country – water resources are under threat
 SA Water sector has severe skills shortages
– identified as a major risk to water resources and water services
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Water for Growth and Development Framework
 High level recommendation - A massive public education initiative focused at the school level
 WfGD Framework states that skills shortage in the water sector is a key risk to achieving the 6% economic growth targets SA needs
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 The Water Literacy Initiative is designed to address national challenges of water scarcity and water sector skills shortages in a sustainable way
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 To promote behavioural change on water use and water
 To promote water sector careers in at schools and provide opportunities for youth to pursue careers in the water sector
 To raise awareness of water and climate change to the broader public
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 Curriculum Programme
 Resource Materials & Educator Empowerment
 Action Projects
 Baswa le Meetse - Competition – Grade 6
 South African Youth Water Prize -– Grade 11
 Aqua Enduro Grade 11
 Invasive Alien Plant Programme
 National Essay Competition on Climate Change
 Annual Youth Summit on Water & Climate Change
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The vision is that every learner… and every educator …in every school will have access to water education
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Curriculum-Aligned Resource Materials – for educators and learners in Grades R-9
Water is life
• What is water?
• Water cycle
• Sources of Water
Water Use Efficiency
• Key uses of water
• Water saving tips
• Water scarcity
Water Safety
• Water safety tips
• Water safety games
• Safe Swimming Environment
Resource Material
Modules
Sanitation, Health &
Hygiene
• Good Sanitation practices
• Various types of toilets
• Maintaining sanitation facilities
• Water Related diseases
Water Quality Management
• Water Pollution
• Water Purification
Forestry and Invasive Alien Plants
• Importance of Tress
• Introduction of Indigenous Trees
• Identification of Invasive Alien Plants
Careers in
Water and Forestry
• Career Fair exhibitions
• DWAF & WRC Careers @ Water CD
• DWAF & WRC Careers Book
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Curriculum Support (3)
Curriculum-Aligned Resource Material for
Senior Schooling (Grades 10-12)
 In development phase – ready by January 2012
 Key themes for Senior Schooling phase
 Water is life *** Water Quality
 Water Use Efficiency *** Water Management
 Water Sector Careers *** Climate Change
 Water Safety *** Environmental Conservation
 History and Indigenous practices of water
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Action Projects:
 The Youth in Water Awards aimed at recognizing role of Grade 6 learners in awareness campaigns related to water – using the arts medium
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Action Projects:
 The SAYWP encourages participation of youth from Grade 9-11 in integrated water resource management. Winners compete in Annual
International Competition in Sweden
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Action Projects:
Aqua-Enduro is aimed at addressing science and engineering skills shortages. It targets Grade
11 learners – and winners receive bursaries from DWA
 Centered around World
Water Monitoring Day –
October 18 th
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Action Projects:
 This is a practical oriented project of
Working for Water that raises awareness on impact of invasive alien plant species on our national resources
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Action Projects:
 Targeted at Grade 11 learners, focuses on impacts of climate change on water resources and encourages learners to consider innovative adaptation strategies and activities
 This Project will be initiated at the 2011 Youth Summit
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 A national event hosted by the Minister to celebrate and award youth in water
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 This an Annual Event that brings together all programmes of the Department on Water Literacy
 The Minister Awards the excellence of Youth involved in water conservation and climate change issues
 The Youth Summit is held in over a one-week period in June of each year
 2011 will mark the 3 rd Annual Youth Summit on Water and Climate Change
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 Excursions : Learners are taken on excursions to various sites such as water treatment plants, water boards …
 Youth Debate : A forum for debate is held each year on issues of water and climate change. Teams of learners compete against each other on specified topics.
 Clinics : Experts in the field of water and climate change provide interesting lectures on topical issues.
 Exhibitions – Learners are exposed to various stakeholders in the water sector – who exhibit and discuss water sector careers and latest technologies
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 National Awards Ceremony – The Deputy
Minister hosts an Awards ceremony on the final day of the summit to acknowledge excellence in teaching and learning on issues of water and climate change.
 Winners of the Various Competitions like BLM and Youth Debate receive prizes and certificates of excellence from the Minister
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25-30 June 2012
Durban
South Africa
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