Sandwatch resumed in schools in Mauritius
⦁ Background
Sandwatch is recognised as a valuable tool, within the Citizen Science framework, in linking classroom activities to real-life issues relating to Climate Change and coastal environment across the curriculum from mathematics and natural science to social studies and creative arts at international, regional and national levels. At international level, about 50 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) countries, since 2001, have been participating in it. In Mauritius, the Association pour le Développement Durable (ADD) initiated it in 2018 with funding from Currimjee Foundation under the Corporate Social Responsibility scheme, whereby 3 State Secondary schools and around 75 students and 10 educators were involved (addmauritius.org). However, it was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the “Resilience of populations and coastal ecosystems in the South-West Indian Ocean (RECOS) (2021- 2026)” project implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Fonds français pour l’environnement mondial (FFEM), the programme Sandwatch has been reactivated since February 2024. Its overall objective is to strengthen the resilience of coastal populations to the effects of climate change by restoring the services provided by coastal ecosystems in the 4 IOC islands Member States (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles).
⦁ Implementation as a Pilot Project
RECOS carries forward and broadens the Sandwatch programme through involving more partners including the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) of the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology (MoETS&T) and 3 NGOs namely Association pour le Développement Durable (ADD), Reef Conservation (RC) and Eco-Sud (ES). The Sandwatch renewed activity started as a Pilot Project with a two-day “Train the Trainers” workshop organised on the 28 and 29 February 2024 at the MIE (https://www.sandwatchfoundation.org/mauritius-sw-workshop-2024.html). Fourteen (14) educators from seven (7) schools and the 3 NGOs benefitted from the training.
Subsequently, the 3 NGOs selected 2 schools each from a pre-selected list provided by the MoETS&T. The programme of implementation was discussed with and agreed upon by the Rectors and Headmistress and the designated educators.
The Table below shows the schools and beaches selected by each NGO and the dates of monitoring. In line with guidelines given in the Sandwatch manual, data collected included beach width, waves, longshore current, water quality, wind, sand characteristics as well as vegetation, litter and animals over an area two-metre wide on either side of a transect line.
⦁ Background
Sandwatch is recognised as a valuable tool, within the Citizen Science framework, in linking classroom activities to real-life issues relating to Climate Change and coastal environment across the curriculum from mathematics and natural science to social studies and creative arts at international, regional and national levels. At international level, about 50 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) countries, since 2001, have been participating in it. In Mauritius, the Association pour le Développement Durable (ADD) initiated it in 2018 with funding from Currimjee Foundation under the Corporate Social Responsibility scheme, whereby 3 State Secondary schools and around 75 students and 10 educators were involved (addmauritius.org). However, it was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the “Resilience of populations and coastal ecosystems in the South-West Indian Ocean (RECOS) (2021- 2026)” project implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Fonds français pour l’environnement mondial (FFEM), the programme Sandwatch has been reactivated since February 2024. Its overall objective is to strengthen the resilience of coastal populations to the effects of climate change by restoring the services provided by coastal ecosystems in the 4 IOC islands Member States (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles).
⦁ Implementation as a Pilot Project
RECOS carries forward and broadens the Sandwatch programme through involving more partners including the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) of the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology (MoETS&T) and 3 NGOs namely Association pour le Développement Durable (ADD), Reef Conservation (RC) and Eco-Sud (ES). The Sandwatch renewed activity started as a Pilot Project with a two-day “Train the Trainers” workshop organised on the 28 and 29 February 2024 at the MIE (https://www.sandwatchfoundation.org/mauritius-sw-workshop-2024.html). Fourteen (14) educators from seven (7) schools and the 3 NGOs benefitted from the training.
Subsequently, the 3 NGOs selected 2 schools each from a pre-selected list provided by the MoETS&T. The programme of implementation was discussed with and agreed upon by the Rectors and Headmistress and the designated educators.
The Table below shows the schools and beaches selected by each NGO and the dates of monitoring. In line with guidelines given in the Sandwatch manual, data collected included beach width, waves, longshore current, water quality, wind, sand characteristics as well as vegetation, litter and animals over an area two-metre wide on either side of a transect line.
The Figure below complements the Table above and summarises the number of participants with a breakdown for each NGO - teachers (educators), and students (boys and girls), and the locations.
The collected data were entered by the respective school on the online Beach Records platform hosted on the Sandwatch Foundation website and can be viewed here.
⦁ Proposals to enhance Sandwatch
Based on experiences gained during the Pilot Project and feedbacks received from the educators and partners, it is proposed that:
⦁ Incentives are offered to educators to encourage them take a more active part, which is crucial for sustainability;
⦁ Additional equipment including a suitable thermometer, Abney level for beach profile and a portable anemometer are made available as well as more explicit guidance to facilitate monitoring of longshore current and speed and wave height and direction;
⦁ The Beach Records platform is upgraded to include additional monitoring parameters such as beach profile, coliforms and quantity of algae and its species given its more frequent occurrence as well as facilities to include table and graph for data analysis and identification of trends;
⦁ A workshop is organised to enable participating schools to present their results accompanied by an award of prizes and certificates to the best school to promote healthy competition;
⦁ An exchange programme is organised among the best groups of Sandwatchers of the member countries of the IOC to leverage wider participation in each country.
⦁ The Way Forward
A meeting was held on 11 October 2024 at the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), gathering the 3 NGOs and the RECOS Team to identify gaps and weaknesses, discuss lessons learnt, identify challenges and plan a Sandwatch programme for next year. The 3 NGOs agreed to continue participating in the programme. Pathways to ensure the sustainability of the programme were explored, including the adoption of a “whole school approach” whereby the establishment of a Sandwatch Steering Committee in schools would be considered with representatives, besides the schools, from the Parent Teachers’ Association, village councillors and “Force Vives” to widen the support and sustain the programme. Another key idea that needs consideration is the integration of Sandwatch within the “Observatoire pour l’environnement”, an initiative, which is being established by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change to determine, prioritise and monitor environmental indicators to assess the state of the environment. Further evaluations and visits on sites are planned by the MIE to ensure the smooth implementation of Sandwatch in 2025.
⦁ Concluding remarks
All the participating schools enjoyed the programme and realised the benefits that accrue in relating subject matter found in textbooks to practical applications and hands-on activities in real life. This is particularly relevant in identifying the problems facing beaches and coastal ecosystems and the actions that can be taken individually and collectively to address them. Several other schools have already shown keen interest in participating in Sandwatch. The partnership of the MoETS&T, MIE, IOC (RECOS) and the 3 NGOs with commitments to develop further Sandwatch in the years to come augurs well.
By S. Ragoonaden (ADD), S. Sauvage (ES), I. Ramjaun (RC), R. Bholah (MIE) and C. Legrand (RECOS)
Students from schools all over Mauritious participate in Sandwatch monitoring and recording data
⦁ Proposals to enhance Sandwatch
Based on experiences gained during the Pilot Project and feedbacks received from the educators and partners, it is proposed that:
⦁ Incentives are offered to educators to encourage them take a more active part, which is crucial for sustainability;
⦁ Additional equipment including a suitable thermometer, Abney level for beach profile and a portable anemometer are made available as well as more explicit guidance to facilitate monitoring of longshore current and speed and wave height and direction;
⦁ The Beach Records platform is upgraded to include additional monitoring parameters such as beach profile, coliforms and quantity of algae and its species given its more frequent occurrence as well as facilities to include table and graph for data analysis and identification of trends;
⦁ A workshop is organised to enable participating schools to present their results accompanied by an award of prizes and certificates to the best school to promote healthy competition;
⦁ An exchange programme is organised among the best groups of Sandwatchers of the member countries of the IOC to leverage wider participation in each country.
⦁ The Way Forward
A meeting was held on 11 October 2024 at the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), gathering the 3 NGOs and the RECOS Team to identify gaps and weaknesses, discuss lessons learnt, identify challenges and plan a Sandwatch programme for next year. The 3 NGOs agreed to continue participating in the programme. Pathways to ensure the sustainability of the programme were explored, including the adoption of a “whole school approach” whereby the establishment of a Sandwatch Steering Committee in schools would be considered with representatives, besides the schools, from the Parent Teachers’ Association, village councillors and “Force Vives” to widen the support and sustain the programme. Another key idea that needs consideration is the integration of Sandwatch within the “Observatoire pour l’environnement”, an initiative, which is being established by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change to determine, prioritise and monitor environmental indicators to assess the state of the environment. Further evaluations and visits on sites are planned by the MIE to ensure the smooth implementation of Sandwatch in 2025.
⦁ Concluding remarks
All the participating schools enjoyed the programme and realised the benefits that accrue in relating subject matter found in textbooks to practical applications and hands-on activities in real life. This is particularly relevant in identifying the problems facing beaches and coastal ecosystems and the actions that can be taken individually and collectively to address them. Several other schools have already shown keen interest in participating in Sandwatch. The partnership of the MoETS&T, MIE, IOC (RECOS) and the 3 NGOs with commitments to develop further Sandwatch in the years to come augurs well.
By S. Ragoonaden (ADD), S. Sauvage (ES), I. Ramjaun (RC), R. Bholah (MIE) and C. Legrand (RECOS)
Students from schools all over Mauritious participate in Sandwatch monitoring and recording data