Kumasi, May 19, GNA- An environmental project to protect school blocks constructed under the Social Investment Fund (SIF) in the Kumasi metropolis was on Wednesday launched at the Amankwatia primary school in Kumasi.

The project, which is a collaborative effort of the SIF, Department of Community Development and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), is aimed at encouraging SIF beneficiary schools to plant trees around the classroom blocks to protect them from storms and also beautify the compounds of the schools.

Environmental clubs had been formed in five schools, which are participating in the project in the Subin Sub-Metro Directorate of Education.

Speaking at the launching, Madam Grace Dwomoh, Co-ordinator of the project, said the tree planting exercise would not only protect the classroom blocks, but would also help beautify the school's compounds. She advised members of the environmental clubs to be dedicated and work hard to ensure environmental cleanliness in the schools.

Madam Dwomoh appealed to the staff and School Management Committees (SMCs) to ensure regular maintenance of the school buildings to prolong their life span.

Mr John Addai, Subin sub-metro chairman, appealed to the SIF to connect the schools to the electricity grid to provide light in the classrooms.