Eco-Schools: An education solution for a greener planet

Education tied to sustainable development

As climate change and environmental degradation intensify into global challenges, the search for sustainable education models has grown crucial. One initiative widely recognized by the international community is the Eco-Schools Program.

Eco-Schools implements a seven-step methodology that includes: establishing a school-based coordination committee, conducting an environmental review, drafting an action plan, integrating content into the curriculum, and monitoring and evaluating results.

Founded in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Eco-Schools has expanded to over 67 countries, with approximately 19 million students and over 51,000 schools participating.

The development of an eco-code by students and teachers at each participating school is a noteworthy feature, as it transforms commitments into action. In addition to serving as educational institutions, schools also serve as environments for the cultivation of environmental education, which fosters an early appreciation for nature and responsibility.

The Government's adoption of the National Program of Action on Climate Change to 2050 (NPAP) has brought a new level of significance to the expansion of Eco-Schools in Vietnam. This comprehensive strategy emphasizes the importance of education, community capacity-building, and awareness-raising in tackling climate change.

Eco-Schools has demonstrated its effectiveness in achieving these goals. Students not only acquire knowledge but also participate in activities that foster sustainable behavior for the duration of their lives, including biodiversity conservation, energy conservation, and refuse management.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment officially launched the ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam 2024 Awards in October 2024, marking a significant milestone for Vietnam. The awards recognize and honor schools that have demonstrated exceptional performance in implementing the eco-model in accordance with regional criteria as part of the ASEAN cooperation framework. The program has been able to expand its scope and operate substantively with the financial and communications support of Vingroup's Green Future Fund.

The Lower Secondary category concluded with Genesis Hanoi Lower Secondary School receiving the First Prize. According to Mr Phan Anh, director of the Genesis Education System and principal of Genesis Hanoi Lower Secondary School, the school's attempts to establish a "green school" gained momentum because the organizers' criteria are in close alignment with the objectives that teachers and students have consistently pursued.

"This is not merely a prestigious honor; it is a powerful motivation for us to continue on the path of green education," highlighted Mr Phan Anh.

In the lower secondary category, Nguyen Hue High School (Yen Bai) was placed second. Principal Nguyen Thi Thu stated, "The award is a well-deserved recognition of the efforts of our teachers and students. It also spreads positive energy throughout our staff and student body, encouraging them to persist in the construction and maintenance of Nguyen Hue High School along a sustainable, eco-oriented path that meets ASEAN criteria and continuously enhances the quality of education in the future".

The program has strategic value in connecting Vietnam's eco-school network with ASEAN, encouraging more schools to participate, exchange experiences, and replicate the model, in addition to its award. This not only reinforces Vietnam's pioneering role in regional cooperation but also enhances soft power through education.

A virtuous circle that spreads greener living

Eco-Schools’ value is evident in changes in students’ awareness and behavior. They learn to sort waste, recycle materials, and plant trees on campus, and bring that mindset home and into their communities. Small actions in the classroom gradually become habits, forming part of a green lifestyle.

“Genesis has long embraced the ‘declaration’ of being a school of green initiatives. We organize meaningful environmental activities and projects not only for students but also for parents, so students are not alone on the road to sustainable development, with parents joining and participating”, said Phan Anh, Director of the Genesis Education System and Principal of Genesis Hanoi Lower Secondary School.

From an educational perspective, Eco-Schools supports more holistic student development. It builds leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, and a sense of civic responsibility, competencies essential in today’s world, where sustainable development requires active participation from young people. Through concrete activities, students’ physical and mental well-being also improve as they spend more time in nature and relieve academic stress beyond the confines of the classroom.

At the regional level, the program reflects ASEAN’s spirit of cohesion. Member states co-develop criteria, share experiences, and host forums that knit together a broad network, linking schools from Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia to Indonesia and the Philippines, around a single goal: education for sustainable development. This synergy benefits each country and enhances ASEAN’s image as a close-knit, dynamic bloc committed to addressing global challenges.

The ASEAN Eco-Schools Award is not merely a title for outstanding schools; it is also a driver for education systems to innovate toward sustainability. It is a journey of sowing and nurturing, where students’ small actions today can grow into a powerful social force tomorrow. Starting with education, starting with eco-friendly schools, offers the most fundamental and enduring answer.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has tasked the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature News in coordination with relevant agencies and units and the Green Future Fund, with organizing the ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam 2024 Awards - “Schools Without Plastic Waste”. 

For details, visit the online edition at nongnghiepmoitruong.vn, the Awards website: ecoschool.vn, or contact Journalist Nguyen Quynh Chi, Phone: 0967181555, Email: nquynhchi.00@gmail.com.