Learning the Importance of Environmental Conservation – Sogeri Primary School’s Educational Field Trip

On October 28, 60 Grade 4 students from Sogeri Primary School in Papua New Guinea participated in an educational field trip to Baruni Landfill site, Branis PNG Recycling Company, and the Adventure Park in Port Moresby.

At the first destination, Baruni Landfill site, the students learned about waste management practices utilizing the Semi-Aerobic Landfill method (Fukuoka Method), a technology transferred by JICA’s technical cooperation.
This innovative technique, which contributes to environmental conservation by promoting efficient waste decomposition and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, amazed the students. They asked many questions to deepen their understanding of its significance. The staff emphasized the importance of waste separation and the promotion of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) as critical measures to reduce the burden on landfills.

The next stop was Branis PNG Recycling Company, where the students sold 450 plastic bottles and 32 cans they had collected during a prior clean-up activity. Through this hands-on experience, they learned about the recycling process and how recyclable materials are transformed into valuable new products. Realizing that their actions directly contribute to environmental conservation, the students became even more motivated to practice waste separation and actively engage in local clean-up activities.

In the afternoon, the students visited the Adventure Park, where they interacted with a wide variety of animals and learned about the impact of environmental pollution on wildlife. Observing animals such as reptiles, mammals, and birds, including cassowaries and birds of paradise, deepened their interest in animal ecology and increased their awareness of the importance of protecting natural habitats.

This educational field trip was made possible thanks to the generous support of Iarowari Agro Technical Secondary School and Sogeri National School of Excellence, who kindly provided vehicles for transportation. Their assistance ensured smooth logistics, allowing the students to fully immerse themselves in this enriching learning experience.

A teacher from Sogeri Primary School remarked, “By stepping outside the classroom and experiencing real-world practices, the students were able to gain a much deeper understanding of the importance of environmental conservation.” The students also shared their reflections, stating, “We want to encourage our families and friends to properly dispose of waste and take care of our environment.”

This field trip is expected to serve as a catalyst for the students to take proactive steps toward environmental conservation in their daily lives.