UAE: All schools in Abu Dhabi join EAD’s sustainability program – News

The achievement was achieved in partnership with the UAE Schools Agency of the Ministry of Education and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge

The Environment Authority of Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced that all schools in the emirate have now committed to its Sustainable Schools initiative, which is endorsed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

The achievement was achieved in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), the UAE Schools Agency and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) as part of the Sustainability Year programme.

To commemorate the occasion, ADEK hosted a private and charter school open house organized by EAD to educate principals and introduce them to SSI, encouraging them to lead students in adopting environmental awareness activities in their daily lives. Principals then committed to joining the initiative. The event is being held as part of an ongoing effort by EAD, the Ministry of Education and ADEK to align the education ecosystem with national priorities and raise awareness on environmental issues ahead of COP28.

“We believe that the next generation will be key players in steering the world towards a more sustainable future – putting the environment at the top of any national agenda. Therefore, we believe we need to reach them early and teach them important knowledge and develop their habits to help them care for the environment, tackle climate change and protect the world’s natural resources,” EAD’s Science Extension Management said in announcing that all schools in the emirate are now part of SSI, which was first launched in 2009.

“We have also set another goal of having 700 schools across the UAE join the Sustainable Schools Initiative by the end of this year, and I am optimistic that we will be able to achieve this lofty goal.”

Also announcing that EAD will host the 12th World Congress on Environmental Education in January 2024, Baharoon urged schools to submit abstract applications so they can share knowledge and play a prominent role at the congress.

Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Nursing and Capacity Building at the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the Ministry is doing everything it can to enhance the role of education in addressing the climate crisis.

“We will develop environmentally friendly teaching materials, curricula and schools, and we will provide educators with the professional training they need to effectively transfer knowledge and skills to students, who will use the knowledge gained through education to build a prosperous future.”

Khuloud Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Educational Partnerships, ADEK added: “As educators, we have the unique opportunity to demonstrate and promote sustainable practices and climate action within and beyond the school community, inspiring our students to become environmentally conscious and responsible leaders or tomorrow.”