Nine local schools were awarded the Green Flag this week for their dedication to sustainability and protecting their environment. Despite two school years with closures and challenges posed by COVID-19, 526 schools across Ireland were awarded Green Flags this week, including 33 schools that have been awarded the Green Flag for the first time.
These are really great initiatives taken by the schools and it should definitely be recognized.
The local schools were:
• Ballyforan National School, Ballinasloe
• Ballintleva N.S, Athlone
• Rahara N.S, Athleague
• Curraghboy N.S, Athlone
• Athlone Community College, Athlone
• Tang N.S, Ballymahon
• Dean Kelly N.S, Westmeath
• Scoil Na gCeithre Máistrí, Athluain
• Paul’s N.S, Athlone
Green-Schools is an environmental management programme for schools which focuses on themes including Litter and Waste; Energy; Water; Travel; Biodiversity; Global Citizenship and Marine Environment. This year schools in Ireland achieved amazing results in the themes:
70% of schools working on our Litter & Waste theme took part in awareness raising action days, with 73% reporting an increase in awareness of litter and waste issues
29% of schools working on the Energy theme managed to make energy savings which is amazing considering the challenges over the last couple of years. 94% of schools saw an increase in awareness on the topic of Energy.
77% of schools awarded for the Green-Schools Travel theme saw an increase the number of students cycling to school and 85% of schools recorded an increase in sustainable travel overall.
Schools involved in the Biodiversity theme increased the level of biodiversity nationwide by planting over 2000 trees; creating more than 150 new wildlife-friendly gardens and erecting at least 250 new bird feeding stations
88% of schools working on the Marine Environment theme investigated the sources of marine litter and promoted an action to reduce it
93 secondary school students took part in the Water ambassador programme as part of the Water theme, which provides mentoring and training for committed students who want to make a difference.
