8 schools to pilot WWF’s eco programme

Louisa Tang Today Online 24 Apr 13;

SINGAPORE — Eight primary and secondary schools have signed on to a new pilot programme to become more eco-friendly, such as by reducing their water consumption and utility costs, or by cutting down on waste by engaging in recycling or reusing projects.

The internationally-recognised Eco-Schools Programme was launched yesterday by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore, and will focus on active citizenship and environmental sustainability as an important part of school life.

Through a seven-step framework, schools can enhance their curriculum and activities for environmental education. They will have six environmental themes to choose from, such as Water, Waste and Litter and Energy.

Under the framework, schools have to set up an Eco-Schools Committee consisting mainly of students, with teachers and adult members as advisers. The committee will have to get the school and the local community involved in Eco-Schools activities.

The programme will be expanded to pre-schools and tertiary institutions next year.

“Making the environment a priority in the school’s agenda will go a long way in growing a generation of environmentally responsible citizens empowered to make informed choices, in support of a low carbon future,” said Ms Elaine Tan, CEO of WWF Singapore.

Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District, said the programme will involve six schools in the district that have consistently achieved top environmental district awards, the Green Schools Sustained Achievement Awards.

“We hope to help our Green Schools achieve a higher standard in environmental education and further empower our students to do their part to conserve, protect and make the South West a better place for all,” said Dr Khor.

Participating schools may qualify for the internationally recognised Green Flag Award by working on two themes, Climate Change and Nature and Biodiversity, and by successfully implementing the programme and improving their environmental performance. The Eco-Schools Programme in Singapore is funded by IKEA and The Silent Foundation; IKEA has pledged to donate S$200,000 from its savings from eliminating disposable plastic bags at its stores.

Louisa Tang

Students to helm green efforts in schools
David Ee Straits Times 24 Apr 13;

THE World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature has welcomed Singaporean schools into its global Eco-Schools programme and will put students here at the helm of their schools' environmental efforts.

The WWF's programme will let youngsters decide and champion the green issues that concern them and their communities.

Students will be prominent on a school's eco-committee and be involved in decision-making.

Participating institutions will be expected to review their environmental performance, develop plans, monitor progress and make green learning part of the curriculum.

The WWF will assess their performance yearly and award schools that do well with its "green flag" award.

Said WWF-Singapore's education manager Rabi'ah Ghazali: "Environmental education should primarily be led and spearheaded by youth, as they are the generation who will shape our policies in the future."

The Nature Society's president Shawn Lum added: "What's encouraging is that it's not a prescribed course of action. Students have to come up with the ideas and take the lead... What are they going to do when they grow up to be decision-makers? That's where the impact is going to be felt."

WWF-Singapore launched the one-year pilot yesterday at the Tampines outlet of Ikea Singapore, which has provided $200,000 in funding.

Eight primary and secondary schools will take part initially. Next year the programme will open to all schools, including tertiary institutions.

The Eco-Schools programme began in 1994 in Denmark, Greece, Germany and Britain, and today involves more than 40,000 schools in over 50 countries.

Local success stories include Ixopo Primary in South Africa, which began designing and building solar cookers and growing vegetables in the school garden to support low-income residents nearby.

Nan Hua High School, one of the pilot participants here, wants to go beyond school grounds and bring green lessons to residents in Clementi, where the school is located, and even beyond.

Said teacher Tan Wei Sein, 62: "One of our passions is energy. We hope to get residents to save energy - not just in Clementi but farther out. The students want to serve the community in a bigger way."