Pupils raising the Green Flag at Faughanvale Primary School.
The East Derry constituency is the first in Northern Ireland to achieve full uptake of schools in the world leading Eco-Schools Programme.
The initiative, funded by the Department of the Environment, encourages environmental action by schools which leads to improved attitudes and behaviours towards the environment.
Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan had written to schools back in September encouraging those still not registered with the Programme to do so and as a result 96% of schools across Northern Ireland are now part of the International Programme.
Speaking to pupils on the Eco Committee of Faughanvale Primary School, Greysteel during a visit with Gregory Campbell MP, Mark H Durkan said: “It is great to see the energy and enthusiasm you have in helping to improve the environment.
“Taking the opportunity to put into practice what you learn about the environment in class, involving the whole school and engaging the wider community is making a real difference towards a better environment and stronger economy.
“Schools across the North are involved in environmental action that can save money and improve the environment in which children learn. Two schools have achieved zero waste to landfill and in other instances school grounds are being developed as outdoor classrooms.
“Northern Ireland currently ranks ninth in the world for uptake of Eco-Schools. This is all the more significant as it operates on a purely voluntary basis here.”
Locally, the programme is operated by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, an environmental charity dedicated to making Northern Ireland a cleaner, greener and more sustainable place in which to live. There are now 1,157 Eco-Schools in Northern Ireland representing 96% of all schools.
“Mr Campbell said: “I am delighted that my constituency is leading the way here in Northern Ireland and I congratulate every school in East Londonderry in having the vision to become involved in such a worthwhile programme.
“I would encourage all schools to sign-up to this pupil led initiative.”
Eco-Schools is a programme of continuous improvement and as such schools have to re-apply for their Green Flag every two years.
Mrs McGroarty, principal of Faughanvale Primary School said: “We are delighted to be hosting Minister Durkan and Mr Campbell here today.
“It is an honour and the children have been very excited about it, especially as we have just successfully renewed our Green Flag for the third time.”
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