Designs to make the school more environmentally friendly
When it comes to environmental awareness, students these days are inquisitive and always ready with
a “why” or “how” about things. Schools lead the way in creating this consciousness. Developing this sense of
consciousness starts at school and it's pivotal that children grow up with the awareness to adapt a more
sustainable lifestyle. The idea of switching to sustainability and finding alternatives is a prerequisite in the
current times and with activists like Greta Thunberg spearheading the Fridays for Future walk, this has become
all the more apparent.
School buildings and infrastructure across the world are some of the biggest energy users and the
related issues to sustainability and environmental consciousness almost always fall through the cracks. Schools
remain a huge source of pollution and waste that degrades the environment. In keeping with an eco-friendly
strategy, two schools in Kerala, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pangode, in Thiruvananthapuram and Kendriya
Vidyalaya, Ottapalam, set a leading example back in 2018 and they are still following the sustainable routine
in the schools. According to reports, school premises at KV Pangode are well supplemented with trees and
plants, and the whole school population relies on sustainable modes of transport like cycling.Another school
in Assam accepts polythene bags and plastic wastes as the only form of fee. The school makes students pledge
that they will not burn plastic. Instead, they will hand over any plastic waste to the school.
From gardening skills, taking care of animals, understanding renewable energy, carpentry, to fully
utilising the power of the technology, this Assam school is a leading example in the eco-friendly world. Kids
nowadays are quite inquisitive and always ready with a “why” or “how” when being taught something new. It
is in the first few years of a person’s life that we learn new concepts quickly. To drive this sense of
environmental responsibilities in pupils here are some of the important steps every school must take.
1. Introduce green habits.
A green patch of land can be dedicated on the school premises for a mini farm and students can be
taught about planting and caring for it. It's a learning practice and it helps them be in tune with eco-friendly
activities. Other sustainable habits like getting children to switch off all appliances and lights when not in use
can be promoted. Students should be taught to ensure taps are closed properly after use and also to use water
sparingly.
2. Class dedicated to cleaning.
For kids the ring of the last bell means scuttering with their bags to home. Teachers can instead dedicate a
small class at the end of day, dedicated just for cleaning the classroom and the school premises. It's not just
aimed at driving environmental consciousness, but is also a fun bonding activity. Start a recycling system in
your classroom and show the children how to use it and recycle their things.
3. Green patch exercise.
This is aimed at going beyond textbook theories and implementing theories in real life. Teachers must impart
practical knowledge by introducing 'do at home' experiments like planting trees in the area or finding solutions
to reduce and segregate waste in-house.
4. Lessons on saving energy.
When we speak about an 'energy-efficient future' most of it relies on how we sensitise the younger generation
- to make sure they have clarity on renewable energy and the power of technology that goes a long in making
things easier for them in the future. Movement lead by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg stands as a towering
example about just how conscious the younger generations is when it comes to issues related to climate change
and sustainability.
5. Homework on sustainability.
Setting 'eco-friendly' themes every week can be an engaging and learning experience for children. From no
plastic use to minimalism, the students can be given specific tasks to do every week and write a detailed essay
on what they learned from it. This will help inculcate sustainable habits in the future.
6. A club dedicated to environmentalists.
Starting an environmental club at school is a great way to get students energised about taking care of the Earth
and helping the community while learning about some of the most important issues facing the world in the
21st century. Clubs can work together and share experiences with each other to help get a sense of the bigger
picture about environmental and climate issues.
7. Mock awareness rallies.
To ensure that students have ownership of what they want to change and how to implement these changes, can
be done by conducting mock awareness rallies within the school premises. A group of 8 to 10 kids can be
chosen to research a topic related to the environment and help sensitise the rest The exercise will push students
to research, investigate how and why things happen, and make their own decisions about complex
environmental issues..Learning transcends the classroom and awareness rallies are the best way to whip up
that enthusiasm.
8. Anti pollution ambassadors.
With the spike in air-pollution across North India, many schools in NCR started an exercise to engage students
as anti-pollution ambassadors.
The anti-pollution ambassadors were tasked with spreading awareness on the need of conserving the
environment by not burning the paddy straw.
Lakhs of children studying in schools situated in rural areas participated in the anti-stubble burning rallies
organized in their villages. Exercises such as these go a long away in making the younger generation aware of
the environmental impact caused by certain activities.
9. Produces own power
Back in 2017, a school in Bengaluru set an example by producing its own power and supplying the surplus to
the grid, and also gave its students important lessons on the environment. A whopping 3 crores has been
invested in solar panels and the Karnataka state government aids them for it. Its not just solar energy that the
school is investing in, it also has a biogas plant that helps teach students about the process.
10. Skits and plays based on spreading environmental awareness.
Having skits and plays in school promotes two important rules, caring for our environment and showing
respect for other cultures. Messages about recycling and reducing global emissions gently worked into a fun
and engaging story-line goes a long way in sensitising kids.
11. Get Plants for the classroom.
Placing a plant in each classroom has numerous benefits. A plant can help reduce dust and carbon dioxide
levels while preventing the growth of pollutants.
