ASEAN is committed to promoting environmental education and public participation to achieve the vision of a clean and green ASEAN. Schools that inculcate the value of environmentally sustainable policies and practices as an integral part of them play a critical role in educating the young generation on the importance of involvement in environmental protection and nature conservation. These are the main messages of the ASEAN Environment Year (AEY) 2012 celebration themed ‘Environmental Awareness through Eco-schools’ and the inaugural presentation of the ASEAN Eco-schools Award 2012.

Attended by Environment Ministers and representatives from ASEAN countries as well as China, Japan, and South Korea,the ASEAN Environment Year 2012 launch was officiated by H.E. Dato’ Sri Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Malaysia. “In line with the theme of this year’s ASEAN Environment Year, ASEAN will be showcasing the role of schools in promoting environmental awareness. The schools will be providing an exciting and stimulating environment where principles and values associated with wise resource management and conservation are introduced and instilled among the young as early as possible,” said the Minister.

He further highlighted, “Schools create a rich and supportive environment that, firstly, reinforces and rewards sustainable behaviours, but more importantly, foster and solidify the thought processes that constantly question accepted norms and standards for wise resource use and sustainability, and push the environment performance to cleaner and more resource conserving level.”

The inaugural ASEAN Eco-schools Award 2012 was presented to selected primary and secondary eco-schools from ASEAN Member States to recognise their exemplary efforts in inculcating environmental awareness in all aspects of education to students and surrounding communities. Selection of the eco-schools was based on national criteria and the ASEAN Guidelines on Eco-schools adopted by the ASEAN Environment Ministers in 2011. The Guidelines serves as a reference and regional standard for environmentally friendly model schools in the region. The ASEAN Guidelines on Eco-schools can be downloaded here.

The event also provided an opportunity for government officials and schools principals from ASEAN Member States to exchange views on environmental education policies and best practices on eco-schools initiatives/activities.

Recipients of the ASEAN Eco-schools Award 2012

Primary School Category

1. Kuala Belait Primary School, Brunei Darussalam
2. Hun Sen Sandan Primary School, Cambodia
3. Tunjung Sekar 1 Elementary School, Indonesia
4. Sokpaluang Primary Schoo, Lao PDR
5. Chinese National Type Primary School Tung Hua, Malaysia
6. No.3 Basic Education Post Primary School, Myanmar
7. Iliranan Elementary Schoo, Philippines
8. Fuhua Primary School, Singapore
9. Ban Tha Kam School, Thailand
10. Thuc Nghiem Primary School, Viet Nam

Secondary School Category

1. Sayyidina Hasan Secondary School, Brunei Darussalam
2. Treng Trayoeung Secondary School, Cambodia
3. Muhammadiyah 1 Junior High School, Indonesia
4. Sisattanak Lower Secondary School, Lao PDR
5. Saint Michael Secondary School, Malaysia
6. No.2 Basic Education High School, Myanmar
7. Camarines Sur National High School, Philippines
8. Commonwealth Secondary School, Singapore
9. Muang Krabi School, Thailand
10. Chu Van An National High School, Viet Nam