In a groundbreaking initiative that addresses both education accessibility and environmental cleanliness, Morit International School in Ajegunle, Lagos, accepts plastic bottles as school fees.
This innovative approach not only makes education more affordable but also tackles the issue of plastic waste in the local community.
Mismanaged waste is a significant problem in developing countries, contributing to the deaths of up to a million people annually.
At Morit International School, each plastic bottle collected equals one naira, providing an affordable means for parents to pay for their children’s education.
Patrick Mbamarah, a certified lesson teacher, founded Morit International School in 2015 to address two pressing issues in his community: the high number of out-of-school children and the excessive plastic waste littering the streets.
Despite setting low tuition fees—10,200 naira ($22.6) for preschool and 11,200 naira ($24.33) for primary school—many parents still struggled to pay.
Mbamarah didn’t give up. Drawing on his background in recycling, he devised a solution that would address both problems. “I thought, ‘why not create one solution for both problems?’ I knew there was a solution there; I just had to find it,” he explained.
In 2019, the school launched the Recycles Pay Educational Project, partnering with recycling companies like the African Cleanup Initiative and Wecyclers.
This collaboration allowed parents to pay school fees using plastic bottles. By 2021, more recycling businesses joined the initiative, including Alon Green.
Dolapo Olusanmokan, CEO of Alon Green, was eager to support the project. “When I saw what he was doing, I knew I needed to be part of it,” said Olusanmokan.
The company collects and recycles plastic bottles, providing cash in return. Olusanmokan is now working with Mbamarah to improve the school’s facilities.
Despite financial challenges, Mbamarah remains dedicated to his mission. “Donations have been very helpful because we use the bulk of the money to pay off debts and settle bills to keep the school going,” he said. The school currently serves 115 students across preschool, primary, and secondary levels.
Mbamarah’s next ambitious goal is to collect one million plastic bottles to support 1,000 children in the Ajegunle area. The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents voluntarily collecting plastic waste for the school.
Morit International School’s innovative approach not only provides affordable education but also fosters environmental responsibility among students. By turning waste into a valuable resource, the school is creating a brighter, cleaner future for its students and the community.
