Cape Town: Today, a unique collaboration of business, government and civil society gathered at Sakumlandela Primary School in Khayelitsha to contribute to the upliftment of education in the Western Cape by encouraging water conservation at our schools. As part of its MySchool 'Making the Difference' programme Woolworths has developed an excellent teacher resource on water, its role in the cycle of life and its conservation. The new Water Module is the 7th addition to the MySchool 'Making the Difference' Grade 4 teacher resource pack, and Woolworths handed over 5000 editions to the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) for use in 1000 schools throughout the Province. Woolworths Head of the MySchool programme, Peter Twine, said: “The severe drought we are now experiencing in the Western Cape highlights the great need for working partnerships between the private and public sectors to contribute to a sustainable future. As a responsible corporate citizen, Woolworths believes in partnering with government in the effort to provide our children with the education they deserve. Children need to know how to conserve precious resources and live sustainable lives. In South Africa, knowing the value of water and how to conserve it is actually a life skill.” The launch of this all-important Water Module anticipates South Africa's celebration of National Water Week, from the 21st to the 27th of March. This year's theme, “Water for Life” emphasises the importance of the sustainable management of this scarce resource, and the awareness of the role that water plays in eradicating poverty and achieving social and economic development in our country. Councillor Saleem Mowzer, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Trading Services, attended the hand over function. “This partnership with Woolworths assists us in communicating the importance of water and its conservation to our learners. The module is clear and practical, giving advice and tips on water-saving in the home that are aimed specifically at the learners”, commented Mowzer. “The WCED thanks Woolworths and encourages this kind of partnership with the corporate sector”, says Cameron Dugmore MEC for Education in the Western Cape. “Businesses have a lot of expertise and it is fantastic to see Woolworths working with us and offering educators meaningful assistance in the delivery of this aspect of the curriculum. These resources are important tools for our educators to use in the classroom so that we can help to build a learning home for all our children in the Western Cape.”

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