EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

Background:

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is an international organisation working in Uganda to help conserve and protect the wild chimpanzee population and to promote the conservation of the natural environment.

The Conservation Action Plan for Uganda's Chimpanzees 2003-2008, highlights the need to raise awareness about chimpanzees and the threats to them and their habitat. JGI has taken this on as one of its main aims for the next three years.

Currently JGI is focusing its efforts on establishing an effective Environmental Education (EE) programme at the primary school level. The various elements of this programme focus on teaching the pupils basic ecology and encourages them to use the knowledge they have gained to take action to help the environment. The aim is to achieve an increase in knowledge, a positive change in attitude and an increase in responsible behaviour.

The chimpanzee census that was carried out between 1999 and 2002 showed that the four areas where the last remaining viable chimpanzee populations are found are Kibale, Budongo, Bugoma and the Kalinzu/Kasyoha- Kitomi forest area. Therefore, JGI aims to focus its main education programmes around these areas, where awareness of chimpanzees and the environment can best help protect viable chimpanzee populations.