Speaking at the Grand Opera House, Caitríona Ruane stressed the importance of making young people aware of environmental issues and helping them learn to become citizens in their local and global community.
The Minister said: “Eco Schools offer our schools a way into a key area of the revised curriculum – citizenship. The effective citizen of tomorrow will be environmentally aware, and will be taking environmentally friendly decisions about their own values in their own and in society’s interest. In addition, projects such as this, which are interesting and relevant, make learning more enjoyable for those taking part.”
The Eco School programme provides a list of criteria which enables schools to analyse its energy output and the impact it is having on the environment.
Ms Ruane added: “It is vitally important that we all, and especially our young people and their families, learn how to reduce their use of energy. Reducing energy consumption will help everyone in the long term. In Ireland we enjoy our beautiful countryside, our rivers, our coasts, and our overall quality of life. We must not risk losing them.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Eco-Schools is run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education administered by ENCAMS in England and locally by Tidy Northern Ireland. Schools are supported by a wide variety of partners.
- For further press enquiries please contact the Department of Education Press office on 028 9127 9207 or email Press.Office@deni.gov.uk
