The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has launched a new programme aimed at helping students cope with academic pressure by encouraging schools to use national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as spaces for learning, relaxation and mental wellness.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The initiative, dubbed Wild Scholars , was officially unveiled at the Nairobi Safari Walk on Sunday, June 14, with 400 students from Alliance Girls High School becoming the first beneficiaries.

The programme, according to KWS, seeks to provide young learners with opportunities to engage in hands-on conservation education while also taking a break from the pressures associated with school life.

“Academic terms are demanding, and the daily pressures on young minds can be heavy. Our students need constructive outlets; safe, peaceful sanctuaries where they can step away from the books, clear their minds, and reset,” the wildlife agency said in a statement.

📌 What You Need to Know

The launch comes at a time when concerns over student well-being have gained renewed attention following incidents of unrest and indiscipline reported in several schools across the country in the month of June.

While the causes of school unrest vary, stakeholders have pointed to academic pressure, mental health challenges and limited recreational opportunities as some of the factors affecting learners.

By opening up parks, reserves and sanctuaries to learners , KWS hopes to create environments where students can both learn and heal while developing a deeper appreciation for conservation.

As part of the initiative, KWS is encouraging schools from nursery to tertiary institutions to organise educational visits to protected areas across the country.

The programme is also backed by a series of incentives aimed at making such visits more affordable for schools and parents.

Students visiting premium parks such as Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks will pay Ksh500, while those touring Nairobi National Park and Tsavo East and West National Parks will pay Ksh400. Schools will also benefit from discounted bus entry fees, free entry for up to three teachers and bonus entries for large student groups.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke