A total of 36 schools, including 6 in Gozo, have been awarded with the prestigious Green Flag Award for their long time commitment in ensuring a better quality of life for all.

A ceremony to present the awards was presided over by President Dr George Vella, when among other schools, Gozo College Victoria Primary, together with Gozo College Zebbug Primary, were both warded a Green Flag 3, while the Bishop’s Conservatory Secondary School, Gozo College Gharb Primary, Gozo College San Lawrenz Primary and Laura Vicuna School, Ghasri, were all awarded a Green Flag 2.

Mr Vincent Attard Executive President of Nature Trust FEE Malta, in his opening remarks said, “the EcoSchools programme is instrumental at providing students with tools to think on environmental issues and come to conclusions and solutions.”

He added that, “this can be witnessed on how today it is the younger generations that are questioning country leaders’ actions mounting pressure on them. This awareness is growing each year and the sooner leaders take heed of these calls the faster we would start mitigating not only environmentally but also socially and economically.”

Mr Attard concluded by quoting the children themselves in the last Ekoskola parliament -“We want to be heard not just liked.”

President Dr George Vella noted that participation in EkoSkola is an excellent example of Maltese children’s enthusiasm and determination to be the leading voice for green and clean change.

The President said that he was pleased to observe that 85% of the student population is actively involved in this programme.

The President expressed his confidence that students, as important green ambassadors at home, encourage their parents and family members to be environmentally conscious and make smart decisions about their daily practices.

Recognised by UNESCO as a world-leader within the fields of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and formally acknowledged as the largest international ESD network of teachers and students in the world, the Eco-Schools programme is now a well-established programme locally.

The programme is not solely about promoting the care and protection of our environment, but also of the people who live in it, the communities who depend on it, the businesses who profit from it and the ecosystems which rely on it.

This student-led whole school approach methodology is not only an opportunity to assist in the holistic development of the child but is also serving to meet international commitments our island nation has as signatories to various treaties and conventions, not least the UN’s 17 SDGs – Sustainable Development Goals.

Students investigate issues pertaining to these goals and take informed decisions to try and address them in the best way they can at the school level, at the community level and also at the national level.

The number of schools flying the Green Flag in the Maltese islands is now 76.

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