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Eco-Schools landmark
26/05/2010
A thousand Scottish schools have now attained 'Green Flag' eco status.
Education Secretary Michael Russell visited St Joseph's Primary in Milngavie today as they received the 1,000th Green Flag award. Nearly one third of local authority Scottish schools have now achieved a Green Flag, for which schools must demonstrate an outstanding, pupil-led commitment to sustainability, across the whole school community and through pupils' learning.
While visiting the school, the Education Secretary also launched Scotland's second Action Plan under the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD), which promotes and outlines the education actions needed to ensure our society becomes more sustainable.
Mr Russell said that Scottish schools are amongst the world's leaders when it comes to sustainability.
He said:
"Scotland has set the most ambitious climate change targets in the world and we all have a responsibility to live more sustainable lives that don't compromise the quality of life of future generations. It's highly encouraging, therefore, that our schools are demonstrating a real commitment to sustainability and greener thinking.
"Through the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, Scotland is committing to driving forward changes and our schools have a key part to play - as demonstrated by our Eco-Schools. Over 98 per cent of our schools are part of the Eco-Schools programme, and young people are having an increasing impact as they take back what they are learning into our communities.
"From Scotland's first Green Flag school - Shetland's Lunnasting Primary in 1995 - through to St Joseph's Primary as the 1,000th award today, schools the length and breadth of the country have embraced the Eco-Schools message.
"The momentum achieved so far is increasing and our new approach through Curriculum for Excellence has a firm focus on ensuring young Scots are aware of the onus on us all to be responsibly citizens in a globalised, 21st century society."
Kate Campbell, Eco-Schools Manager in Scotland said:
"Reaching the award of our 1,000th Green Flag is a fantastic achievement and shows just how determined Scotland's young people are to look after and enhance their environment.
"Pupils, staff, and the wider communities around them have put in a lot of hard work to gain these awards, and we're constantly amazed by the ideas and imagination shown by pupils and staff when we visit schools. I am sure it won't be long before we're celebrating our 1,500th Green Flag!"
Anne Friel, Headteacher of St Joseph's Primary School said:
"This is a notable landmark, not only for St Joseph's but also for all of the Eco-Schools across Scotland as we reach 1000 Green Flags. Our involvement in the Eco-Schools programme has really benefited our pupils as they grow in awareness and understanding of their environment.
"There has been a lot of commitment and dedication at St Joseph's by both children and staff to get to this point and it's thanks to the excellent resources, support and advice from Eco-Schools Scotland that we have managed to achieve our Green Flag."
Morag Watson, Education Policy Officer at WWF Scotland said:
"Education plays a vital role in preparing people for the challenges and opportunities of living sustainably and realising Scotland's ambitious carbon emissions target.
"The awarding of the 1,000 Eco-Schools Green Flag is evidence of the great progress that has been made in schools since the start of the UN Decade in 2005 and we are looking forward to this Action Plan creating similar progress in the rest of the education system. This Action Plan will contribute to building the skills we need to create a sustainable Scotland."
Jan Bebbington, Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland, and leader of the UNDESD Action Plan steering group, said:
"The Action Plan recognises that school education plays a pivotal role in developing sustainable development literacy among Scotland's young people, as well as the key role of higher, further and community based education. The plan, however, is just a plan - its implementation and the involvement of all of us working in education in its many guises will help to make it a reality."
The Eco-Schools programme is an international initiative that encourages whole-school action for the environment and Scotland is one of the leaders among over 45 countries involved. Schools can apply for three levels of award - Bronze, Silver and finally Green Flag - the highest level and hardest to achieve. Eco-Schools Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The UN launched the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development on 1 January 2005, to promote education as a basis for moving towards a sustainable society and to integrate sustainable development into education at all levels and all areas of life. Scotland's Learning for Change Action Plan for the second half of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2010-2014) provides a summary of the progress so far and an overview of what we will do over the remaining five years.