How is a smartphone made?

If we want to move towards a circular economy, we need to choose to repair broken electrical and electronic items more often. That is why the European project Sharepair is developing digital tools to encourage citizen initiatives for repair solutions. Sharepair also sees an important role for education. Because if you introduce children and young people early on to the importance of repairing, they are more likely to see repairing as a valid option.

Commissioned by Sharepair, Djapo developed lessons for primary and secondary education. We tested the lessons for primary schools with Miss Anke and Miss Klara from the 5^thgrade at Don Bosco Primary School in Heverlee (Belgium).

"Most students use a smartphone but don't know the story behind it," teacher Anke says. "During the lesson, I noticed that their indignation grew. It was an intensive lesson, because a lot of information was shared. But the message got through. And we learned a lot."

According to teacher Anke and teacher Klara, the lessons have made an impact. "Most pupils now realise how important it is to repair broken electrical appliances," says teacher Anke. "Repair is really an option. Also for me: I am now more likely to step to a Repair Café."

Whether Miss Anke and Miss Klara will repeat the lessons in the future? "Probably during the climate camp that we organise every year with the 4^th and 5^th grade. We all stay overnight at school, in tents, and we organise all kinds of activities around sustainability and climate. An ideal time to highlight Sharepair's lessons. Because when you work thematically, the subject matter often sticks longer."