Ministry of Education and World Vision Lanka join hands for Green Harmony Schools

Ministry of Education  Secretary Upali Marasinghe (extreme right) shaking hands with World Vision Lanka National Director Suresh Bartlett while Ministry of Education Director of Education (Science) M.P. Vipulasena looks on

With the goal of achieving a cleaner environment, harmony and wellness across the country, the Ministry of Education and World Vision Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding recently to initiate the Green Harmony School (GHS) initiative in Sri Lanka.

The overall purpose of the Green Harmony School (GHS) is to build an environmentally conscious and responsible younger generation who can actively take part in sustainable development. The initiative seeks to also include the whole school community consisting of students, teachers, support staff and parents as well as the community. Partner collaborations will also be a key aspect of the program. This program will be piloted in 14 schools covering eight provinces in Sri Lanka where World Vision’s development programs are present. 

Ministry of Education Secretary Upali Marasinghe speaking at the event said, “Environment, sustainability and productivity are three concepts that should be interrelated with the education system. The students should be sensitised on these concepts through the education system from their childhood. The green Harmony School Concept addresses these concepts well. I appreciate the efforts taken by World Vision to inculcate these values in school children and the whole community.

“Green schools will strive to conserve energy and natural resources, children will also be engaged in key areas such as conservation of fresh drinking water and measures will be taken to prevent diseases through improved sanitation and appropriate hygiene practices. All these are in accordance with ten thematic areas identified in the program.”  

World Vision Lanka National Director Suresh Bartlett commenting on this endeavour said, “There is a global call to take real action in support of healthy, sustainable schools. Environment, being a key cross-cutting theme in all of World Vision’s programs, we are pleased to collaborate once again with the Ministry of Education on this vitally important initiative.

Thus, in addition to developing an environment/green conscious school community, with cleaner schools, building social cohesion and harmony, productivity and safety improvement, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation also will be addressed.

The GHS plan development for the selected schools will be facilitated by a school committee together with World Vision Lanka, under the guidance and supervision of the Provincial Education Office and Zonal and Divisional level education authorities. The pilot program will be replicated in additional schools based on lessons learnt from the pilot phase.