My school DPS, Sharjah has been awarded with the prestigious Green Flag this year. I have written some reports in this regard. You may refer to them in case you need more information:

https://tunza.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=9516&searchType=title&searchName=green flag&pageNumber=1

https://tunza.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=9637&searchType=title&searchName=green flag&pageNumber=1

In this regard a workshop was organized by Eco-Schools UAE. They wanted to ensure that our School DPS, Sharjah is carrying out all the activities in the same manner. Going forward, they introduced revised guidelines for the next year. The flag is a great responsibility & a massive achievement in the area of Environment.

I attended this important workshop along with my Eco-Team & my Event Coordinator.

When they asked how we are doing the environmental activities, I volunteered to provide a detailed reply. I informed that our school organizes a carnival to raise funds for Eco-Committee. The school management is very supportive to provided necessary financial help. Further, the students are provided with extra classes who are away on Eco-Events. Our school has saved millions of Dirhams in reduced electricity bills after introducing the Eco reforms.

Eco-warriors from the school environmental group roam around in school to switch off ACs, lights, PCs whenever they are idle. There is mass awareness in saving the energy. Students have saved energy bills at their homes also after putting this into practice at home.

The changes introduced by Eco Schools committee are:

1.      Curriculum linking: All teachers to be asked to include environment in their subject and verified proof in the form of videos and photos needs to be submitted

2.      Eco-code: The Eco-Code can be anything ranging from a song, poem, saying, poster or picture and the Eco-Code has to be made immediately after the Environmental Review has been conducted.

3.      Eco-committee: Elaborate minutes of meeting need to be drafted and the specified way of the formation (eg. Elections, Registration forms) needs to be stated. Meetings that are a must are at the following steps

a.       1^st meeting after the selection of the eco-committee

b.      After the Environmental Review

c.       Before the Action Plan

4.      Action Plan: Who was involved in drafting the action plan? How did it spread to the rest of the school? Evidence attached must contain the following points:

a.       Topic

b.      Target

c.       Steps Taken

d.      Progress

5.      Schools that have already been awarded the Green Flag will get extension of 1, 2 or 3 years based on progress

a.       There has to be more than 60% improvement in the school?s sustainable grounds for any restoration to take place

b.      From 60% to 80%- 1 year extension of the Green Flag

c.       More than 80%-2 years extension of the Green Flag

6.      A new theme has to be added while working for the green flag: Biodiversity

7.      Three Status reports need to be submitted(template available online)

a.       One at the end of November

b.      One at the end of January

c.       One at the end of February

This was an important exercise to be carried out in between the term so that going forward we may retain the Prestigious Green Flag for many years to come.