Students of Padibe Senior Secondary School in Lamwo district have launched a campaign against plastic pollution targeting polythene bags and other litter that threaten the cleanliness of public spaces and the environment.

The initiative seeks to encourage communities to take greater responsibility for waste management, with the student mobilising fellow learners to collect rubbish and improve sanitation in public places.

On October 26, 2026, students and teachers from Padibe Senior Secondary School cleaned Padibe Health Centre IV and Padibe main market, removing rubbish and improving sanitation at the two public facilities.

The exercise brought together student leaders from the school’s Health, Patriotism, Girl Guides and Scouts, Young Christian Students, ICT and Writers’ clubs.

The campaign comes amid concerns about littering and improper waste disposal, particularly the careless dumping of polythene bags and other plastics, which can persist in the environment long after they are discarded.

Unlike organic waste, many plastic materials do not readily decompose. When poorly managed, they can accumulate in drainage channels, public compounds and other open spaces, undermining sanitation and contributing to environmental degradation.

The initiative aims to encourage learners and residents to move beyond occasional cleaning exercises and adopt responsible waste disposal practices in their daily lives.

Padibe Senior Secondary School head teacher Justine Okwera said the initiative was intended to instil a sense of responsibility among learners and encourage them to contribute to community development beyond the classroom.

Okwera said Padibe Health Centre IV was selected because it serves several communities across Lamwo district, while Padibe main market is an important trading centre where residents buy and sell food and other goods.

He said the school planned to extend the cleaning activities to other public places, including water points, town council offices and religious institutions.

The head prefect, Lubangakene Emmanuel, said students slashed grass, swept compounds, dug and cleaned latrines at the health facility and market.

He said the exercise was prompted by concerns about littering and poor waste disposal, which expose communities to environmental and public health risks.

Emmanuel urged residents to stop dumping rubbish and polythene bags in public spaces and instead take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.

The campaign also highlights the role schools can play in promoting environmental awareness among young people, who can influence waste disposal habits within their families and communities.

Okello Jimmy, a teacher at Padibe Girls Secondary School, urged learners to practise cleanliness at school and at home, saying sanitation should be a daily responsibility rather than an activity reserved for organised community exercises.

He encouraged residents to clean their surroundings regularly instead of relying solely on the government’s National Cleaning Day, observed on the last day of each month.

Akwero Dorothy, the in-charge of Padibe Health Centre IV, welcomed the students’ contribution, saying maintaining cleanliness at public health facilities required collective responsibility.

She commended the learners for supporting sanitation efforts and promoting a healthier community.

Beyond the immediate cleaning exercise, the initiative presents an opportunity for schools, local leaders, businesses and residents to strengthen public awareness of plastic pollution and responsible waste management.

Sustained action will, however, require more than collecting litter. Communities also need accessible waste collection services, appropriate disposal facilities and consistent efforts to prevent plastics from being discarded carelessly.

For Lamwo district, the students’ initiative offers a starting point for encouraging young people to participate in environmental protection and for building a culture in which keeping public spaces clean becomes a shared responsibility.