Eco-School programme celebrates 25 years • Awards presented to best schools |06 December 2019

A special award presentation ceremony was held on Thursday in celebration of the Eco Schools’ 25th anniversary.

The event, held at the SITE auditorium, Mont Fleuri, was organised by the Education for Sustainable Development Unit within the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, in collaboration with the education section within the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Jeanne Simeon; the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Wallace Cosgrow; the principal secretary for environment Alain De Commarmond; government officials, students, parents, teachers and other invited guests.

The Eco School Award is aimed at rewarding schools for their contributions in integrating environment education for sustainable development in their daily operations and practices.

It recognises the endeavour of teachers and students in promoting sustainability in their schools and their community.

In his address to the attendees, Minister Cosgrow noted that the amount of work that has been put in when it comes to environment protection at school level and the community over the years has made a big impact.

Minister Cosgrow also presented Minister Simeon with a syllabus guide with regards to delivering lessons in relation to climate change.

“This guide will help teachers in schools to better deliver content regarding climate change within their classrooms and be more accurate with the lessons that they deliver and I hope it will help the students to better understand issues relating to climate change especially within small islands developing states like Seychelles,” said Minister Cosgrow.

For the presentation ceremony, schools were rewarded according to their respective levels. This is decided by the total number of points Eco Schools receive for participation in national competitions and activities.

Each level has their respective range. Eco Schools on level one was awarded a certificate, level two was awarded a certificate, yellow flag and cash prize sponsored by the Environment Trust Fund and level three received certificate, cash prize and a green flag.

A number of schools obtained level one and level two, however only two primary schools were able to get level three – Anse Royale primary and Baie Ste Anne primary.

Baie Ste Anne primary was specially praised for its implementation of the programme inside and outside of the classroom. The school does not only focus on academic affairs but also gives equal attention to other matters of school development and excellence with good involvement from community members.

Several projects are being implemented at the school which reinforce learning inside and outside of the classroom on several education for sustainable development themes and sustainable development goals.

Karen Port-Louis, the Eco School leader for Baie Ste Anne primary, gave a testimony on the success of the school’s programme during the last few years.

She noted that they have six ongoing projects at the school which includes waste management, fruit and vegetable garden and aquaponics.

Secondary schools were also rewarded, with English River winning the outstanding Eco School.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary, special prizes were also given to schools who have achieved outstanding results in four key areas of the Eco School programme, that is waste, energy, water and school ground.

Mont Fleuri primary won best practice for energy, Anse Royale took home the waste management award and Baie Ste Anne won best school ground and water management.

The award for the overall outstanding school went to English River in the secondary category and Baie Ste Anne for primary.

As a way of saying thank you for their dedication, a batch of Eco School leaders were also awarded as well as two students who have been active members of their Eco School clubs. This latter prize went to Ewan Lawen and Neil Commettant.

Christophe Zialor

Photos: Thomas Meriton