Vietnam's eco-school models, initiatives honoured

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh highlighted the significance of the awards, saying that it is a significant initiative in environmental cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The hosting of the awards not only demonstrates Vietnam’s national commitment to ASEAN but also contributes actively to developing ecological and green school models nationwide, he said.

The event honours schools that have excelled in environmental education activities; introduces eco-school models; and popularises environmental protection solutions within Vietnam's education system.

Thanh said the awards is also to spread the significance of green and ecological schools, form a network of eco-schools in the country, while seeking and supporting schools that wish to become eco-facilities, thereby laying the foundation for environmental education activities at schools across the country.

The event contributes to promoting the goal and vision of a sustainable future of the nation through building a green education system, in which each school, each teacher and each student are green ambassadors that help spread the message of a green, clean and sustainable living environment in society, he went on.

The competition received 80 entries nationwide. The award winners were selected based on three criteria, namely an action plan and programme on environmental protection, a curriculum, facilities and environmental protection activities in the community.

Dr. Le Thai Ha, Managing Director of the "For Green Future" Foundation, said students and teachers have joined hands to develop practical ecological projects, contributing to creating green living spaces and protecting the environment for present and future generations.

The awards clearly demonstrates the strategic vision of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in promoting education and action for the environment.

The winning schools will be honoured on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, to be held in Malaysia in 2025.

Held every four years, the ASEAN Eco-schools Award is presented to outstanding primary and secondary schools in ASEAN member countries to recognise those with best practices in the green school programme and encourage the participation of other schools in implementing green initiatives. The first awards was held in Malaysia in July 2012.

Last year, two schools in Vietnam were honoured at the 4th ASEAN Eco-Schools Awards, within the framework of the 17th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment in Vientiane, Laos. Nhon Nghia 1 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho was honoured in the primary school category, while Yen Lac in the northern province of Vinh Phuc was named in the list of eco-secondary schools. To date, Vietnam has had eight outstanding eco-schools.