What
is the Eco-Schools programme?
The Eco-Schools programme is designed to encourage curriculum-based action for
a healthy environment. It is an internationally recognised award scheme that
accredits schools that make a commitment to continuously improve their school's
environmental performance.
When schools register with the programme, both teachers and learners commit to
an ongoing process of developing lesson plans and learner-centred activities
that are in line with Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). They choose
at least three focus areas, develop lesson plans and school improvement plans
and record their progress in a portfolio. Portfolios are assessed at the end
of a year, and successful schools gain Eco-School status and are awarded a green
flag. Schools may keep their flag and status for a year, after which another
portfolio is submitted and assessed.
How will the Eco-Schools programme benefit a school?
This curriculum-based programme offers opportunities to:
- Improve
the school environment
- Build young
people's confidence and sense of citizenship through participation
- Increase
environmental awareness
- Involve
the local community
- Reduce litter
and waste
- Reduce costs
by saving water and energy
- Gain local
publicity
- Develop
relationships with other schools around the world make a commitment
to continuously improve environmental performance at their
school.
Background
The Eco-Schools Programme was launched in South Africa in 2003. This pilot programme
is supported by WWF-SA and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa
(WESSA), endorsed by the Department of Education and funded by Nampak. Last year
385 schools have received their Eco-School flags in South Africa for 2006, and currently
we have nearly
828 schools registered with the Eco-Schools programme
for 2007
Click
here to read story's from Eco-Schools.
Eco-Schools is an international programme of the Foundation for
Environmental Education (FEE) www.fee-international.org that
originally started in Europe in 1994. About 5 500 schools
have earned green Eco-School flags in over 37 countries around
the world. Over 15 000 schools are registered with the programme.
But the South African initiative differs significantly from the
programmes run in Europe, in that it has been re-orientated to
focus on strengthening the national curriculum and supporting its
implementation, thereby supporting educators.
Click
here to see what people are saying about Eco-Schools
For further
information, please contact national Eco-Schools co-ordinators,
Bridget Ringdahl or Caroline Conway-Physick at WESSA
on tel (033) 330 3931 or email ecoschools@wessa.co.za
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