The HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund has renewed its support to the EcoSchools Programme for the next three years, committing over €12,300 every year. The agreement with Nature Trust, coordinators of the programme, and the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment was signed today (Wednesday, January 31) at St Joseph School in Sliema.

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino said that it is amazing that in a matter of four years the EcoSchools programme has grown exponentially - from the 6 original schools that first took part in it to the over 60 that are taking part this year. "The EchoSchools programme drove the environmental agenda straight into our classrooms and has turned our children into ambassadors for the environment in their families. All this was happening while the environment was gathering an increasing priority in our society," said Minister Pullicino.

Referring to Saturday's donation of €30,000 for the landscaping of the former Maghtab Landfill, Minister Pullicino thanked HSBC for believing in and supporting Government in its pro-environment agenda.

The school is one of the 18 new schools participating in the programme this year. The EcoSchools programme was introduced in 2002 with 6 pilot schools. The number of participating schools now stands at 72. So far, 4 schools have secured the Green Flag, a prestigious accreditation for their environmental practices at school.

EcoSchools aims at mobilizing the whole school to empower students to adopt an active role in environmental decision-making and action in their school an in their community. Its holistic, participatory approach and combination of learning and action make it an ideal way for schools to embark on a meaningful path to improving the environments of schools and their local communities, and of influencing the lives of young people, school staff, families, local authorities, NGOs, etc

Apart from honouring environmental respect and responsibilities and fostering a sound education to mitigate the negative impact on the environment from an early age, every participating school aims at receiving the coveted Green Flag and work to sustain the standards required to keep the title.