This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Eco-Schools Programme
02/02/2007
Youngsters across Scotland are learning valuable lessons about protecting their future through one of the largest eco-schools projects in Europe, First Minister Jack McConnell said today.
The First Minister confirmed that Scotland has reached the target of 80 per cent of all schools in Scotland being registered for the Eco Schools Programme 13 months ahead of schedule, as he visited Currie Community High School in Edinburgh to see the eco-projects pupils there are working on.
Mr McConnell was accompanied on the visit by David Miliband, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack.
The First Minister said:
"I am delighted that we have made such good progress on the number of schools registered for this extremely valuable programme. It is clear from this there is great enthusiasm across Scotland from pupils to learn more about their environment and what they can do to protect it.
"Currie High School is an excellent example of a school which is leading the way in the eco-schools programme in Scotland and I look forward to seeing more and more schools go on to achieve the coveted green-flag status."
Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said:
"Scottish Ministers are committed to protecting and enhancing the environment. The eco schools initiative helps young people develop environmental awareness and encourages them to take responsibility for their surroundings.
"I am delighted that over 80 per cent of Scottish Schools are now signed-up to this worthy initiative. This is clear evidence that our children will continue to play a key role in educating adults about how we can all look after the world we live in."
The Eco Schools programme is an international environmental management programme, managed in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The programme has been running in Scotland since 1995, and 2,258 state schools are currently registered on the programme (81 per cent of Scottish state schools). The success of the programme has already outstripped the target identified in Learning for our Future: Scotland's First Action Plan for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, which was that 80 per cent of Scottish schools should be registered on the programme by 2008.
Scotland now has the highest percentage of schools in Europe which are involved in the Eco Schools Programme.
Once schools are registered on the programme they are expected to work through an environmental management programme at their own pace, encouraging learners to take an active role in identifying actions and planning their activities.
Involvement in the programme leads to a series of awards: bronze, silver, 1st Green Flag, 2nd Green Flag, 3rd Green Flag and finally 4th (Permanent) Green Flag.
The most significant milestone for schools on the programme is achieving the 1st Green Flag, and 440 state schools in Scotland have reached this level to date.
Schools generally take between 1-3 years to reach 1st Green Flag status, depending on their commitment and current readiness.
Currie High School is about to be assessed for its 2nd Green Flag.