BSA primary, Mont Fleuri secondary most outstanding eco-schools |10 December 2022
Marc Arrisol and Sandrine Valentin (head teacher and eco-school leader of the Mont Fleuri secondary school) after receiving their school’s prizes from Ministers Valentin and Joubert
The Baie St Anne primary and the Mont Fleuri secondary schools have been recognised as the most outstanding eco-schools in the primary and secondary category, among public and private schools, for implementing environmentally sustainable programmes both inside and outside of the classroom.
The two schools, which scored the most points in the eco-school programme assessment, were awarded with their prizes, which include a certificate, a green flag, a trophy and cash prizes, including an educational trip to Aldabra, in the 29th edition of the Eco-Schools Award ceremony that was held at the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE) earlier this week.
The ceremony by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, is aimed at rewarding all public and private schools for their achievements and contributions in integrating environment education for sustainable development in their daily operations and practices.
The award is a sign of recognition of the efforts of the teachers and students in promoting sustainability at their schools and in their community.
It was the Minister for Education, Dr Justin Valentin, and the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert, who presented Monique Lesperance and Karen Port-Louis (teacher and eco-school leader of Baie St Anne primary school) and Marc Arrisol and Sandrine Valentin (head teacher and eco-school leader of the Mont Fleuri secondary school) with their school’s prizes.
This was in the presence of principal secretaries, chief executives, senior government officers, distinguished guests, head teachers, teachers, students and sponsors.
Four other schools namely, the International School Seychelles (primary), the Beau Vallon primary, the Plaisance secondary and the English River secondary schools have also qualified for the prestigious educational trip to Aldabra sponsored by the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF).
There were also prizes for schools reaching the different level of achievements including prizes for the Beau Vallon primary school and the Grand Anse Praslin primary school for the management of their school grounds while the Baie St Anne primary school was rewarded for its water management.
“I feel very emotional as we were not expecting to come out first. It has been a very big effort on the part of our school and I feel very happy,” said Mrs Valentin, who noted that they have been engaged in many recycling projects and environment education awareness, among the many other environment activities in their curriculum at the schools, which also include environmental field learning trips.
“I feel very proud not only for me but for the school, parents, teachers, students and to everyone in the community who have supported us in one way or another,” said Mrs Port-Louis who noted that the students are very interested to join the eco-school activities which sometimes they get over and above the number of students requested for the activities conducted.
The Eco-Schools programme has been in existence for more than 25 years as a whole school approach to integrate environmental learning and environmental management practices in the daily operations of schools.
In his opening remarks, the director general for Allied Education Services, Cyril Pillay, stated that according to UNESCO, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) contributes to all the 17 ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ with particular relevance to the global education agenda where ESD is recognised as a key element of quality education with cross-cutting competencies in cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural dimensions of learning.
Mr Pillay noted that 93% of schools have this year managed to report on their implementation of the Eco-School programme and have shown great improvement compared to previous years. He called upon all schools to continue to strive for sustainability in their daily operations and to everyone to engage in activities that promote sustainability to safe guard the prestigious environment we have been graciously blessed with.
“Your endured commitment will ensure that your educational institution becomes sustainable and shape a society with empowered citizens who are able to exercise their fundamental rights in promoting sustainability,” said Mr Pillay, who thanked all partners for their contribution for the success of the Eco-Schools programme.
During the ceremony, Steven Constance from the Beau Vallon primary, Claudia Don from the La Misère primary, Beryl Serret from the Anse Royale primary, Karen Port-Louis from the Baie St Anne primary, Lucianne Antione from the Belonie secondary and Susan Ansell from the International School Seychelles, were awarded for the most outstanding Eco-school leaders.
Four past secondary students, Jeremiah Samson, Mathieu Noddyn-Bristol, Liah Pillay and Jean-Yves Mancienne, were also recognised as the most eco-schools valuable students for their passion in promoting sustainability in their schools and in the community.
It is to be noted that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the award event was not held for 2020 and 2021 and the schools were assessed out of 40% for 2020, 30% for 2021 and 30% for the year 2022. The eco-school programme, which is a competition, is divided in three categories – crèche, primary and secondary and the schools are assessed on points based on three levels of progression in relation to outside school programme which include school beautification, organic gardens and livestock among other outside activities including environmental learning programmes conducted in class.
The audience was entertained by a poem ‘Les mwan dekrir lanatir’ from Hakim Elizabeth and Auria Barbe from Plaisance primary school. Ms Barbe is a visually impaired student.
There was also a dance performance from the students of the Anse Royale primary school.
Text & photos by Patrick Joubert
