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The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:
The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) today (September 22) held a presentation ceremony for the 12th Hong Kong Green School Award (HKGSA). Minor works projects funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) were also awarded in the ceremony. In addition, the ECC launched the 13th HKGSA and a new special award scheme, namely the Waste Less School Award, at today's presentation ceremony.
During the ceremony, 39 schools received the Green School Award in recognition of their environmental protection efforts, while six minor works projects funded by the ECF were awarded for their exemplary educational effectiveness (see the Annex for the list of awardees).
The newly launched Waste Less School Award is a special award scheme that aims to encourage primary and secondary schools to take action to prepare for the implementation of municipal solid waste charging in the future by achieving waste reduction with measurable outcomes.
Officiating at today's presentation ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre were the Acting Secretary for the Environment, Ms Christine Loh; the Chairman of the ECC, Mr Lam Chiu-ying; and the Convenor of the ECC Education Working Group, Mr Hui Yung-chung. Representatives from co-organisers, including the Hong Kong Institute of Education and the Hong Kong Productivity Council, also joined the event. Representatives of various green groups, which are the supporting organisations of the Waste Less School Award, also attended today's ceremony to show their support.
For the primary and secondary school categories in the 12th HKGSA, the schools underwent assessment 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 scores in relevant assessment criteria were presented with the Green School Gold, Silver or Bronze Award. This year, seven primary schools and six secondary schools received the Green School Gold Award while six primary schools and eight secondary schools received the Green School Bronze Award among a total of 175 entries. Under the partnership of the HKGSA and the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE), schools receiving the Hong Kong Green School title will be referred to compete for HKAEE Sectoral Awards under the schools sector.
In the pre-school category, assessment was made according to four criteria, namely Environmental Infrastructure, Environmental Management, Environmental Education, and Parents' Participation in Environmental Activities. This year, 12 award-winning pre-schools among 87 entries were presented with cash prizes of $5,000.
The Minor Works Project Award was established under the 12th HKGSA to allow the primary or secondary schools that have completed the implementation of minor works projects funded by the ECF for one year or more to compete. Six minor works projects, such as green roof and organic farm projects, with exemplary educational effectiveness were awarded.
The HKGSA, launched in 2000, has attracted participation from more than 775 schools. The scheme, sponsored by the ECF, aims to encourage schools to formulate a school environmental policy and implement an environmental management plan. The scheme also aims to enhance environmental awareness, develop an environmentally friendly attitude and promote green practices among school managers, teachers, non-teaching staff, students and their families. Since the eighth HKGSA, the award scheme has been restructured to forge a partnership between the HKGSA and the HKAEE.
For more information about the HKGSA, please visit the ECC's Schools Go Green website at school.ecc.org.hk.
Ends/Monday, September 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:17
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