Malta planning to have 'Eco-Schools'

Six local schools are to take part in a pilot initiative aimed at empowering pupils, teachers and parents to take practical steps to reduce the environmental impact of their schools, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said yesterday.

If successful, this pilot initiative will enable Maltese schools to join some 7,000 other schools in 26 countries in a programme known as Eco-Schools.

Government primary schools in St Julian's, Xaghra, Fgura, and Siggiewi, St Joseph's Primary School, Blata l-Bajda and St Edwards College will take part this scholastic year.

Each school is to set up a committee including teachers, students, parents and support staff which will review the school's environmental impact, prepare an action plan and devise an eco-code outlining what the school wishes to achieve through the programme.

Developed in 1994, the Eco-Schools programme seeks to raise environmental awareness and to promote sustainable development at a local level in the classroom, at home and in the wider community. The programme is an example of the implementation of the United Nation's Local Agenda 21.

The initiative to pilot Eco-Schools in Malta was taken by MEPA and was launched yesterday by Education Minister Louis Galea and Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment George Pullicino.

Also present was Sergio Santos, international co-ordinator for the Eco-Schools programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education.

During the scholastic year, Mr Pullicino will be visiting schools to explain Local Agenda 21 and children's role in improving the environment.

The project is being steered by MEPA and the Education Division. Dr Paul Pace is project co-ordinator.