Spreading green initiatives from ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025

At the ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025 Award Ceremony, beyond the pride of being recognized, representatives of First Prize -winning schools presented numerous hands-on and innovative approaches to environmental education. A common feature stood out: schools are embedding the ethos of “green living” naturally into daily teaching and learning, shaping sustainable awareness and habits among students from an early age.

Cultivating green citizens through ecological education

From an education management perspective, Nong Thuy Hoa, Chair of the School Council of West Hanoi Primary and Lower Secondary School, said that the ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025 Award is not only a source of pride but also a significant milestone in the school’s journey toward building lasting values.

According to Hoa, the award honors the school’s unwavering commitment to a green, happy-school education model. Maintaining the eco-school orientation for two consecutive years demonstrates a long-term, sustained commitment to creating a green, friendly, and human-centered learning environment. “This is not only the school’s goal, but also a shared value toward which the community and society are striving - a greener, more beautiful, and happier world,” she emphasized.

Sharing her perspective on ecological education, Hoa noted that environmental education cannot be confined to a single lesson, an isolated activity, or planting a few trees. Instead, it must be a long journey that begins with awareness. Each student is like a small seed; if nurtured properly, they can grow into “forests” of sustainability in the future.

When environmental awareness is instilled early, students grow into global citizens who understand and value sustainable development. In turn, communities and societies can gradually become greener and happier.

In building its ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam model, West Hanoi Primary and Lower Secondary School has implemented a range of systematic and distinctive solutions. Beyond environmental protection, the school focuses on reuse and extending product life cycles, particularly for plastic waste. Used bottles and materials are collected, recycled, and creatively reused.

Notably, organic waste from students’ daily meals is processed and converted into fertilizer for campus greenery, creating a closed ecological loop. Through this process, students learn that every product has value when used properly, fostering resource-saving mindsets and a sense of environmental responsibility.

Sharing her emotions at the ceremony, Hoa said the award marks a special milestone in her more than 30-year career in education. Beyond being a joy for the school, it also serves as a reminder of civic responsibility to protect the green planet for future generations.

From eco-schools to green citizens

From an operational and strategic development perspective, Nguyen Thi Viet Hai, Vice Principal of FPT Bac Giang Primary, Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary School, said the ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025 Award is an important recognition of the educational philosophy the school has consistently pursued.

According to Hai, the school had followed the award for many years before officially applying in 2025. This decision stemmed from a consistent viewpoint: environmental education is not a short-term movement but a core, long-term component of the school’s development strategy. The award carries deep social meaning by promoting a sustainable education system and equipping students with scientific, responsible approaches to interacting with their living environment.

Reflecting on the value of the recognition, Hai said the award not only affirms that the school’s educational values align with sustainable development trends, but more importantly, helps students view environmental activities as community-oriented efforts, thereby strengthening their awareness of personal roles and responsibilities.

According to Hai, ecological education plays a pivotal role in shaping green citizens. Today’s environmental actions form the foundation for a greener, more modern, and sustainable planet tomorrow. Environmental education must begin with awareness and guide long-term action aligned with shared international goals.

In developing its ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam model, FPT Bac Giang School has adopted systematic and innovative solutions. From curriculum design, the school emphasizes global citizenship thinking, integrating personal development with social responsibility across all subjects. Content related to the environment, climate change, and the circular economy is embedded through project-based learning, enabling students to address real-world challenges.

Notably, the school implements STEM education from Grade 1 through Grade 12, with around 30 percent of content directly related to environmental issues. Students are introduced early to topics such as oil spills, domestic wastewater treatment, and waste recycling. Annual programs like STEM Exhibition and Science Innovation, under the theme “Building a Green Planet,” provide platforms for students to propose creative solutions - from AI-based waste sorting to circular-economy-oriented plastic recycling.

Looking ahead, FPT Bac Giang School will continue to prioritize the application of technology and artificial intelligence in environmental education. Students are guided to use AI to explore knowledge, shorten research processes, and propose technological solutions to environmental challenges. The school is investing in a modern STEM laboratory and connecting with environmental experts to support students in developing, refining, and turning ideas into practical products.

From these concrete models and initiatives implemented by ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025, it is clear that ecological education is no longer merely a teaching component, it is becoming a foundational pillar for nurturing a generation of green citizens who are responsible to the environment and society. When “green living” is cultivated in schools, sustainable development values can spread steadily, contributing to the realization of a greener future for the region and the world.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment assigned Vietnam Agriculture and Nature News to coordinate with the International Cooperation Department (ICD) and the Green Future Fund to organize the ASEAN Eco-Schools Viet Nam 2025 Award - Plastic-Free Schools. Further information is available at nongnghiepmoitruong.vn and the award website ecoscool.vn.