AQUATIC WEEDS

A DEPARTMENTAL PERSPECTIVE

NORTHERN CAPE

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

HOW DID WE GET STARTED?The National Working for Water Program is

currently embarking on an Education & Awareness Project with regard to the Vaal River System. This project was brought about due to the devastating impacts of Invasive Aquatic Plants on our water resources, as well as the fact that the issue of Invasive Alien Plants is incorporated in the School Curriculum.

Warrenton Weir, Vaal River October 2004

BACKGROUNDThe proliferation of Water hyacinth,

together with other invasive aquatic plants on the Vaal River System in South Africa poses a huge threat to the ability of this system to meet the needs of the millions of people dependent on it.

As a Department we would like to educate learners, parents and the communities regarding invasive plants.

One of the worst aquatic weeds in South Africa

STARTING WITH THE BASICS• WORKSHOPS HELD IN WARRENTON• The Project Co-coordinator in collaboration with

the Department of Education held a number of workshops in order to initiate this project.

• The first workshop was held with the Principal and the staff of Warrenvale High School, and focused on a generic introduction to Invasive Alien Plants. This workshop was held at Warrenvale School on the 18 February 2010.

• The staff was also briefed on the project and the benefits that it would have for their school, teachers, learners and broader community.

TEACHERS FROM WARRENVALE HIGH SCHOOL

This workshop exposed teachers to both terrestrial an aquatic weeds, and was presented by Mrs. Lorrain Williams

LEARNER WORKSHOPS• The second workshop was held at the

Warrenton Library on Saturday the 27 February 2010, for 5 learners (per school) from the 12 surrounding schools. The attendance was good and we had 53 learners attending the workshop.

• The learners were introduced to both terrestrial as well as aquatic invasive plants. Learners were provided with resources to identify the invasive plants, and this knowledge was consolidated by practical identification of the invasive plants.

LEARNERS AT THE WORKSHOP

ACTIVITIES WERE HANDS-ON AND LEARNERS WERE ALSO EXPECTED TO DO PRESENTATIONS

EXCURSION TO THE RIVER

Learners searching for the elusive Hyacinth after the flood. Three lucky learners who managed to spot a young Water Hyacinth

INVOLVING OTHER SCHOOLS• A workshop was also held on the 05 -06 March 2010

with teachers from the 12 schools in the Warrenton region. This workshop focused on training teachers on terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants. Teachers were also given resources that would assist them to identify both terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants.

• The workshop was poorly attended, even though the school principals and teachers had confirmed their attendance, and this can be attributed to the fact that the workshops were held on a Friday and Saturday. Schools were also involved in sporting events that would grant learners opportunity to be selected for the various Provincial sporting codes.

• The teachers however that attended the workshop both Friday and Saturday are committed to making a success of the project as they see potential value it holds.

IDENTIFICATION OF PLANTS DURING THE TEACHER WORKSHOPS

RHODES UNIVERSITY• Sunday 07 March 2010, five officials and seven

teachers departed for Rhodes University for an on-site session on aquatic weeds with Prof. Martin Hill and Dr Julie Coetzee on the 08 March 2010.

• Prof. Hill first held a briefing session which included the history of Bio-control in South Africa, the bio-control agents that we would be investigating and management of a breeding site. The delegation was then taken to the breeding site for on-site inspection and to participate in hands-on activities which included catching/harvesting the weevils.

• The weevils caught were then taken to the lab where they were investigated under microscopes.

• These sessions were very educational and informative

Teachers and official participating in activities at Rhodes

Biological control of water hyacinth

Neochetina bruchiNeochetina eichhorniae

GENERALISED LIFE CYCLE OF NEOCHETINA WEEVILS

SELECTING A PILOT SCHOOLWarrenvale High School was selected as

the pilot school for the Water Hyacinth Project.

The school will establish a breeding site for the biological control agents for Water Hyacinth.

After breeding the weevils, they will be harvested and released onto the Vaal River System ( identified sites)

THE BREEDING/ MASS REARING SITEThe school identified a dysfunctional cricket

net as the breeding site.Cricket South Africa might not agree that

this is the best site.

BEFORE

AFTER

CHALLENGES WITH POOLSThe extreme cold weather conditions

resulted in us having poor quality plants with which to stock the pools.

The cold weather also influenced the growth and reproduction rate.

CHALLENGESThe recent floods have washed away most

of the Water Hyacinth.They are now however spread further down

the Vaal River System.The Winter conditions has disguised the

impact of the flood. The summer months will reveal the true

effect of the flood

CURRICULUM CHALLENGES Most teachers did not specialize in

Invasive Terrestrial and Aquatic plants.The content within the curriculum is very

superficial.Content for the GET is not specified.The examples available to study invasive

plants vary from province to province, even from district to district.

Budget – Senior management determines the importance of certain projects or programmes.

CURRICULUM CHALLENGES CONT.Effective teacher training needs to take

place.The Curriculum Review also needs to speak

to the content required for grades 4-12The uncertainty of the content/ Learning

Area changes might also influence the weighting given to invasive plant species.

DEPARTMENTAL CHALLENGESNo budget for teacher training ,material

development, etc.The National Strike has resulted in learners

being withdrawn from activities. (especially grade 12)

Teachers will also be involved in recovery programmes.

POSITIVE ASPECTSThe teachers who are currently involve in the

project are very positive and enthusiastic.The Department of Education in collaboration

with RHODES and WITS will be developing content guidelines for teachers.

Teachers will also receive support from RHODES and WITS with regard to Lesson Plans

The weevils were released onto the plants on the 13 September 2010

FORMAL LAUNCHThe Ministerial Launch would have taken

place on the 07 October 2010.In order to adhere to the National Minister’s

request not to disrupt school , and to keep all learners in the class, a MEDIA LAUNCH will take place on the 09 October 2010 at Warrenvale High School.

THANK YOU, DANKIE, KEALEBOGA…