EKOSKOLA
What is EcoSchools?
The EcoSchools programme was launched in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and now includes over 12,000 schools distributed around the world.
EcoSchools aims at mobilizing the whole school to empower students to adopt an active role in environmental decision-making and action in their school and in their community. Schools that have successfully achieved this goal are awarded a Green Flag - a prestigious eco-label testifying the school's commitment to fostering sustainable lifestyles.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), in collaboration with the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment, launched a project to pilot the programme in Malta in October 29th, 2002. After the success of the pilot project, Nature Trust (Malta) representing FEE (Malta) decided to co-ordinate the initiative, known in Malta by the name of EkoSkola.
During the month of November, our school, St. Francis B'Kara, was awarded the GREEN FLAG.
To achieve the Green Flag, we made several positive arrangements in our school. We started off by forming the "ECO SKOLA" committee after holding an election in each class. I, myself, am a member. On another occasion, the school organised the Animal Awareness Day, where we discussed how to take care not only of our pets, but of all other animals.
Another activity that we are currently carrying out is recycling. In every class we have put two boxes in which we can dispose of clean used paper and plastic separately. These are then emptied into the bring-in sites, which we have in our school yard.
To reach our goal, we hung up many posters and notices around the school to remind students not to waste water and save electricity. We read the electricity meter and the water meter to make sure that we are on the right track.
The "ECO SKOLA" committee took the initiative to talk to parents during parents day about car pooling. Car pooling is when parents living in the same area agree that they take it in turns to drive to school three or four children in one car. They also encouraged the parents to reduce, reuse and recycle and stop wasting water and electricity.
We have placed a compost bin in our school so that we can dispose of fruit and vegetables left overs so that finally we could use them as compost.
As you have seen, I have given you valuable information, from which we children have learnt a lot. With the help of our teachers, we are very proud to host the "GREEN FLAG" which in an International Award for the earning of the environment.
Antonio Cassar
Year 5
