Eco-Schools ‘nurturing’ green action

Schools as the starting point for change

Building on the success of the ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2024 Award, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is organizing the 2025 edition under the theme “Plastic-Free Schools.”

Speaking at the press conference announcing the ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025 Award Ceremony on the afternoon of January 27 in Hanoi, Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director General of the International Cooperation Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), said the award is being held at a time when plastic has become one of the most serious sources of environmental pollution, particularly ocean plastic waste and microplastics that threaten ecosystems and human health.

According to United Nations reports, around 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, a large proportion of which is not properly managed, causing negative impacts on the environment and public health. Viet Nam is among the countries generating the highest volumes of plastic waste in Southeast Asia.

Notably, in 2025, World Environment Day launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) carries the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution.” This further underscores the timeliness, commitment, and proactive response demonstrated by Viet Nam in organizing this year’s award, particularly as the international community, including ASEAN countries and Viet Nam, is actively participating in negotiations toward a global framework agreement on plastic pollution.

Efforts to reduce plastic waste are also reflected in national policy instruments, including Decision No. 1316/QD-TTg (2021) approving the scheme to strengthen plastic waste management in Viet Nam, and Directive No. 33/CT-TTg (2020) on enhancing the management, reuse, recycling, treatment, and reduction of plastic waste.

At present, eco-school models across ASEAN have begun to integrate plastic waste themes, but there is no common assessment framework or region-wide campaign. Many countries have implemented standalone initiatives, yet a unified standard model has not been established.

“This presents an opportunity for Viet Nam to take the lead in developing a model program with a clear, practical focus on plastic waste, helping to shape sustainable solutions and contribute initiatives to the region as a whole,” Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan emphasized.

Nationwide reach and strong momentum

According to the organizing committee, the ASEAN Eco-Schools Award Viet Nam 2025 attracted active and serious participation from educational institutions nationwide, with 294 submissions, a 3.5-fold increase from 2024. The overall quality of submissions also improved markedly.

Awards are evenly distributed across three education levels, primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary, with 20 schools recognized at each level. This reflects a comprehensive, interconnected, and sustainable approach to rolling out the eco-school model throughout the general education system.

In addition to the First, Second, Third, and Encouragement Prizes, the 2025 awards introduce a new Innovation Prize category across all three education levels. This marks the first time schools have been encouraged to develop creative ideas and hands-on practices to reduce plastic waste, thereby strengthening environmental awareness and behavior change.

Nearly 300 submissions came from all 34 provinces and cities nationwide, including schools in remote, border, and island areas, as well as schools recently affected by storms and floods in October and November.

The participation of mountainous and disadvantaged provinces such as Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Tuyen Quang, and Lang Son shows that the award is not limited to more advantaged localities but also encourages and motivates less developed areas to engage in environmental education and eco-school initiatives.

To date, the selection council has proposed, and the organizing committee has approved, 60 award-winning schools across the three education levels. These schools are located in 20 provinces and cities, representing all regions, from northern mountainous areas and deltas to coastal zones, the Central Highlands, and the Mekong Delta.

Viet Nam’s contribution to ASEAN green education

Beyond its scale and regional representation, this year’s award carries particular significance by mobilizing media organizations to participate directly as organizers and partners.

Nguyen Ngoc Thach, Editor-in-Chief of Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature News, said 2025 marks a special milestone as the newspaper assumes, for the first time -a direct role in organizing environmental education initiatives, including the ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025 Award Ceremony - Plastic-Free Schools.

According to Thach, the implementation process has demonstrated that environmental education holds strong potential, wide-reaching influence, and long-term impact. Through eco-school models, the program not only raises awareness but also helps shape students’ mindsets, attitudes, and green living behaviors from an early age, laying a critical foundation for long-term sustainable development.

Notably, during the 2025-2028 period, Viet Nam has been nominated to serve as Chair of the ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Education. In this role, VAN News will work closely with the Department of International Cooperation and environmental education working groups from ASEAN member states to organize domestic events, consultation workshops, expert engagement, and regional exchanges, and to gradually implement environmental education initiatives endorsed by ASEAN ministerial meetings.

“These are concrete, practical actions to promote environmental education, drive action for a green generation, and contribute to achieving the major goals set out in the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress,” Nguyen Ngoc Thach emphasized.

From the perspective of partners, representatives of the Green Future Fund described the award as a meaningful initiative that places environmental education and young people at the center of sustainable development.

The press conference announcing the ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025 Award Ceremony also included a Q&A session with journalists and experts, focusing on the award criteria, participation procedures, educational and social impacts, and the award's future direction.

The organizing committee expressed its appreciation for the responsible and sustained support of more than 80 media outlets, which have produced over 350 journalistic and communication pieces, powerfully amplifying the message, social significance, and human values of the Viet Nam ASEAN Eco-Schools Award.