National search for sustainable and eco-friendly schools launched

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources’ Environmental and Management Bureau (EMB), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and telecoms firm Smart Communications, Inc., has launched the 2011 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that DepEd fully supported the program which is a response to the call for action in safeguarding Mother Nature through environmental awareness in schools throughout the country.

 “The perennial calamities that hit our country depict not only the universal concern for global warming but also remind us of the responsibility of every citizen to contribute to its eradication. Hence, this is among the things the department is doing for its share,” said Luistro.

Luistro has issued DepEd Memorandum Order No. 480, announcing the launch of the search, and enjoining schools and academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at a practical and local level.

The search, Luistro said, intends to develop skills and understanding among students, faculty and school administrators in initiating active responses, and increasing community awareness and participation on environmental concerns.

The DepEd order describes sustainable and eco-friendly schools as environment-friendly schools that have initiated and integrated in their instruction, research, extension and/or administration, programs which are environment-related.

Luistro mentioned that by virtue of RA 9729, otherwise known as Climate Change Act of 2009, DepEd is mandated to mainstream the climate change concepts into the Basic Education Curriculum and deliver correct and updated information.

“The department mobilizes our schools to increase awareness among our students and to exert efforts in government’s thrust against global warming,” Luistro said.

DepEd noted that environmental conservation and protection are among the key themes under the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) that has been declared for the years 2005-2014.

 “Schools are a vital part of basic learning and remain a powerful vehicle for change. It is just but appropriate to tap schools in this climate change/global warming-related initiative,” explained Luistro.

To be cited as a sustainable eco-friendly school, DepEd said that institutions and schools should develop environmental policies for the school; ensure physical cleanliness, orderliness and beautification of the school; observe energy conservation and demand management, water conservation/water management (maintenance of potable water); paper conservation/paper recycling; waste reduction, waste segregation, recycling and composting; air, water, and soil pollution control; seedling production/vegetable gardening and marketing; reforestation and/or nursery establishment; establishment of a botanical garden; herbarium; establishment of a bio-park; and environmental audits of school’s operations and facilities.

Schools can also explore integration of environmental themes into the school curriculum; conduct in-service environmental training for faculty members; develop environmental support instructional materials; offer environmental degrees/certificate programs; environmental and natural resource-related research works and studies; promote linkages and exchanges on the environment with the following sectors: national government agencies, non-government organizations, religious organizations, local government units, business and industry sector; environmental awareness and community education, hold green fairs and environmental exhibits/sale of green products, hold seminars and/or symposia/conferences, hold eco-tours or ecological destinations, healthy lifestyle campaigns; and climate change adaptation and mitigation programs.

All elementary and secondary schools nationwide are encouraged to join the search. Deadline for the submission of entries is on April 29, 2011.