ECC commends green campuses
The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:
The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) today (November 12) held a presentation ceremony for winning schools under the 17th Hong Kong Green School Award (HKGSA) programme to recognise their efforts in promoting environmental education and practising the habit of “use less, waste less”. This year, 40 schools received the Green School Award, while 35 schools won the NO Disposables Campus Award (see Annex for the list of awardees).
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that facing the imminent challenge of climate change, the Government would introduce and adopt a multi-pronged approach to expedite carbon and waste reduction in Hong Kong. He called on the public to practise low-carbon living and actively reduce waste at source. He also encouraged schools to continue spreading the message of “use less, waste less”.
The ECC Chairman, Professor Joseph Sung, commended the winning schools for their unfailing efforts in promoting environmental education. Apart from integrating environmental elements into their curriculums and organising various activities, the schools had also provided opportunities for students to learn at the community and even international levels to nurture their attitude in caring for the environment and establishing good green living habits.
For the primary and secondary school categories of the HKGSA, the schools underwent assessments according to four criteria, namely Environmental Policy and Campus Environment, Environmental Management Measures, Environmental Education Plan and Implementation, and Environmental Education Effectiveness. After verification of the scores, schools meeting the benchmark levels of the relevant assessment criteria were presented with the Green School Gold, Silver or Bronze Award. From 219 entries this year, two primary and nine secondary schools received the Gold Award, three primary schools received the Silver Award, and 10 primary and five secondary schools received the Bronze Award. Schools receiving the title Hong Kong Green School were invited to compete in the schools’ sector of the 2019 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence.
In the pre-school category, assessments were made according to four criteria, namely Environmental Infrastructure, Environmental Management, Environmental Education, and Parents’ Participation in Environmental Activities. This year, 11 award-winning pre-schools out of 47 entries were presented with cash prizes ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
Launched in 2000, the HKGSA has attracted the participation of nearly 900 schools. The scheme, sponsored by the Environment and Conservation Fund, aims to encourage schools to formulate an environmental policy and implement an environmental management plan. The scheme also aims to enhance environmental awareness, help develop an environment-friendly attitude and promote green practices among school managers, teachers, non-teaching staff, students and their families.
For details about the HKGSA, please visit the ECC’s Schools Go Green website at school.ecc.org.hk.
The 17th HKGSA presentation ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Productivity Council Building today. In addition to Mr Wong and Professor Sung, other officiating guests were the Acting Deputy Secretary for Education, Ms Wendy Au; the Convenor of the ECC Education Working Group, Ms Sylvia Chan; and Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Elvis Au. Representatives from the co-organisers, namely the Education University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Vocational Training Council, also attended the event. read more