Questions/Answers

Access to pollution-free environment, good sanitation and drinking water facility, natural lighting & ventilation in school building, greenery, awareness on environmental issues etc. are the guiding principles of the Green School Programme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Gujarat.

The objectives to develop green and sustainable schools are as below. • To develop a school environment that is energy and environment conscious, low resource consuming, culturally sensitive and responsive, low on maintenance and resistant to natural or human hazards. • To develop the school towards Right to Education (RTE) Act compliance. • To develop the school as per vision and guidelines of Whole School Development Plan (WSDP). • To review designs of new classrooms/schools to be developed as a green and sustainable classrooms/schools in future. • To identify various means and measures to transform the existing design in a more sustainable and greener design. • To develop WASH (Water and Sanitation Hygiene) facilities for inclusion, better hygiene and child friendliness.

It has been observed that the area around schools are littered and many resources are wasted as there is no sensitization and awareness about environment among community members in both urban and rural areas. It has also been observed that although the school curriculum covers few issues related to environment and pollution, children see very few practical models and hence are not able to learn as much as their capacity is. Thus, the concept of Green and Sustainable Schools was introduced to seek participation and sensitize various stakeholders on how we conduct our day to day routine, as well as how we build and use our spaces. It is a process that can keep on evolving with time. It also spreads awareness that present generation's has a responsibility to improve the future generation's life by restoring the previous ecosystem and resisting contributing to future ecosystem damage. The initiative fits within the category since it uses participation of the school children, teachers and Head masters, School Management Committees, community, and the Government as a tool to develop and spread the awareness on environment, health, hygiene, drinking water, renewable energy use and ensure sustainable green environment for the school.

The Green and Sustainable schools initiative is aligned with SDGs in delivery of public services as below: Quality Education: • The green school activities are synchronized with curriculum so that teachers and student learn together to apply concepts of environment and science in the world around them and ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. Drinking Water and Sanitation • Rain Water Harvesting System, Water reuse after recycling are the practices which ensures safe and affordable drinking water • Water And Sanitation Health (WASH) activities to ensure awareness among children and village communities about open defecation, health and hygiene practices. Other Initiatives: • Concept of kitchen garden ensure plantation of locally available vegetables and fruits for mid-day meal scheme in school. • Plantation and improvement in Biodiversity in school. • Organize mock drills for earthquake, fire hazards etc. to ensure improvement in institutional capacity in case of disaster or natural calamity. • Waste collection and audit of waste reuse. • Use of solar power for cooking and energy consumption in school • Energy usage audit and saving by changing school building design to provide more ventilation and natural light.

Access to pollution-free environment, good sanitation and drinking water facility, natural lighting & ventilation in school building, greenery, awareness on environmental issues etc. are the guiding principles of the Green School Programme. The objective is to create an environment that addresses a child’s psychological needs, social needs, intellectual needs and emotional needs while also teaching them the importance of being responsible for creating a better and sustainable environment for their future generation. It develops creativity and better understanding among children to learn importance and benefit of green schools and become ambassadors of the idea in future in the society. Green & Sustainable School approach covers components like Rain Water Harvesting System, Plantation, Solar energy and solar cooking, Management of Water, Energy & Waste and overall school augmentation & modification. The green school activities are synchronized with curriculum so that teachers and children learn together to apply concepts of nature, environment and science in the world around them.

Around 75% of the children in our country go to elementary schools, so it is crucial to reach out to them and feed them with high values and sustainable practices. Children inculcate values, beliefs and ethos from what they see around them and from their teachers and peers. It is important to expose children to the beauties and wonders of nature and also to understand how we are interacting and interfering the nature for our survival and growth. . Government of Gujarat has begun an initiative to transform the existing schools into Sustainable Green Schools in the year 2013-14 to develop a healthy and pleasant environment to bright up the future of the upcoming generation. The current outreach of Green & Sustainable programme is given below: • In 2013-14, 61 schools were transformed into Green & Sustainable schools on pilot basis. • In 2015-16, 100 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) were included in this project to be transformed with more effective way. As rated by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), one of the KGBV in Gandhinagar district is certified as Green Schools-Gold. • In current year 47 Schools are under the transformation process which are near to completion level.

Access to pollution-free environment, good sanitation and drinking water facility, natural lighting & ventilation in school building, greenery, awareness on environmental issues etc. are the guiding principles of the Green School Programme. To address this, Government of Gujarat has taken an initiative to transform the existing schools into Sustainable Green Schools in the year 2013-14. It covers components like Rain Water Harvesting System, Plantation, Solar energy and solar cooking, Management of Water, Energy & Waste and overall school augmentation & modification. The green school activities are also synchronized with curriculum so that teachers and children learn together to apply basic concepts in nature that exists in the world around them. It is a process that can keep on evolving with time. It also spreads awareness that present generation's has a responsibility to improve the future generation's life by restoring the ecosystem. The initiative is being implemented in dry semi-arid region in the State where Government initiative is more focused on strengthening local water resources due to water crisis. The innovative initiative support Government vision on sustainable environment, water and sanitation and this is the way impacted positively in student and community in the region.

The former Chief Minister of Gujarat and current Prime Minster of India Shri Narendra Modi had once expressed this idea during his Teacher’s Day speech in year 2009. The idea was well taken and conceptualize by Gujarat Primary Education Council, State Project Engineering team with the help of other verticals in the State office, office of the State Project Director-SSA and Professional Consultants. After resource allocations in the budget the Government of Gujarat has taken this initiative to transform the existing schools into Sustainable Green Schools in the year 2013-14.

The initiative was started after the budget allocation under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Annual Work Plan and Budget under the School Infrastructure component. At the State level State Project Engineering Team is responsible for budget, monitoring and implementation of the initiative. The architecture consultant appointed by MHRD facilitate in structure and design aspect of the initiative. At District level District Project Engineer and his team is responsible for implementation and monitoring of the project at District level. At Block/Taluka level Taluka Resource Person (Taluka Level Engineer) is responsible for facilitation, monitoring and implementation of the Initiative at School level. At school level School Headmasters, Teachers, Students, Community, Architects and Engineers are being trained towards the programme. Six Audit Teams of children are being formed in each school to look into the issues related to the basic components of our environment e.g. Air, Water, Land, Energy, Waste and Built Spaces.

Yes

The initiative is a unique concept and has a potential to transfer or replicate it in other context, area or region. The initiative is attraction for many research students for its uniqueness and impact. It can be replicate by other Departments i.e. Road and Building Department for designing energy friendly sustainable offices for the Government Departments. The Commissioner of Schools can implement it for secondary and higher secondary schools. The kitchen garden concept, one of the component in the initiative is already being implemented in secondary schools. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Gujarat is currently under the process of classifying the different interventions under three categories- no cost, low cost and moderate cost. These interventions, especially the no or low cost activities can be easily introduced or replicated by schools by following the guidelines which have been shared with all in the Mari Shala Swachh Shala teachers’ training module. Thus, the activities under Green & Sustainable School programme are both sustainable and scalable in any geographical condition with minimal cost.

Sustainability is about how we choose to live and let others around us live- today and for generations to come. It is about development that meets the need of present generation without compromising on the ability of future generation to meet their needs. Any activity or intervention introduced under the Green & Sustainable School initiative is self-sustaining in nature. The programme not only provides guidance and support to schools for initiating the activities but also focuses on providing regular trainings to school stakeholders for bring awareness and sustained behaviour change among them. These activities require only minimal time and attention of school stakeholders and no additional cost to continue giving benefits for the longest time possible. SSA, Gujarat is currently under the process of classifying the different interventions under three categories- no cost, low cost and moderate cost. These interventions, especially the no or low cost activities can be easily introduced or replicated by schools by following the guidelines which have been shared with all in the Mari Shala Swachh Shala (My School, Clean School) teachers’ training module. Thus, the activities under Green & Sustainable School programme are both sustainable and scalable in any geographical condition with minimal cost.

The initiative is running successfully in the State of Gujarat since year 2013. The state is covering more and more schools under this initiatives. Many schools not covered in this initiative initially is inquiring about the project and replicating the initiative in their own schools. The core concept of initiative is a sustainability. We are preparing the school children for the implementation and monitoring of the project. As a future leaders of the country they may take this initiative further in their individual domain or field of activity. Apart from this the project is under the process of classifying the different interventions under three categories- no cost, low cost and moderate cost. These interventions, especially the no or low cost activities can be easily introduced or replicated by schools by following the guidelines which have been shared with all in the Mari Shala Swachh Shala teachers’ training module. With negligible cost and replication capacity we can conclude that initiative is durable in terms of time and it will run for longer period with continuous improvement.

Yes

The initiative is evaluated and audited every year by the student and teacher committee. o An audit form covering the detailed information of all the six basic elements of environment e.g. Air, Water, Land, Energy, Waste and Built Space has been developed by the State Project Office. It serves as a roadmap for the schools to assess their current situation and gaps and also help them to set target-based goals for future improvement of school’s environment. o Formation of Audit teams: Six Audit teams are formed by involving children of class 5th to 8th in regular school and from 6th to 10th in KGBVs for all the six elements of the environment. There is a teacher in charge for each team who guides the children and ensures their participation in carrying out their regular tasks. o A school conducts at least three surveys, Baseline survey, Midterm survey and final survey every year. Each category has 100 points, thus making a total of 600 points. School’s Initiatives in all the categories are also rated. Schools are directed to spread awareness in community and neighbourhood. The initiative for social awareness taken outside the school is given more importance and points.

The audit data helps the school to assess their present status and identify specific areas for improvement in future. Based on the this assessment, specific interventions and support systems are strategically planned with solutions and ideas that are practical and sustainable in the long run to improve the points rating in each school. The data is also used by SSA while developing designs of new schools. This is a continuous process for future improvement. The project was started with 61 schools in the year 2013 -14, in 2015-16, 100 KGBVs were included in this project to be transformed with more effective way. During current year, 47 Schools are taken under the transformation process and are near the completion level. The audit conducted for base line, mid-term and end term shows results of improvement in marking of school. The base line shows score around 35% to 45% and end term audit shows 80% marks. The Green & Sustainable School Programme has been rewarded with the highest Independent honor in Education Department at National Level as SKOCH PLATINUM AWARD on 9th September, 2016 at Hyderabad.

Following components are being assessed for each school in a point rating system: I. AIR Oxygen balanced, level of air pollution, exposure to high RSPM levels, Mid-Day-Meal (MDM) cooking, travel to school, Well-ventilated class-rooms II. WATER Water used by school, Sanitation & water facilities, water conservation practices, rain water harvesting, water use / reuse in school III. LAND Green area, land covered by trees, land use pattern of school, Bio-diversity, Soil conservation and pesticides IV. ENERGY Energy consumed, the sources of energy, energy saved by school, Energy conservation practices V. WASTE Quantity of waste generated, Waste Collection System, waste that school can Reuse & Recycle, Waste Disposal Record VI. BUILT SPACES Building components, its functional use, safety & security of built spaces, up keeping of built spaces

Following Stakeholders involved in the Initiative. • Government of Gujarat for budget and finance • State Project Office: At the State level State Project Engineering Team is responsible for budget, monitoring and implementation of the initiative. • Principal Architect of M/s. VINYAS – Center for Architectural Planning & Research, New Delhi –is appointed as consultant for transforming schools into Green and sustainable. He has discussed with District Project Engineers of the concerned districts about the selection criteria to develop Green & sustainable schools. • At District level District Project Engineer and his team is responsible for implementation and monitoring of the project at District level. • At Block/Taluka level Taluka Resource Person (Taluka Level Engineer) is responsible for facilitation, monitoring and implementation of the Initiative at School level. • At school level School Headmasters, Teachers, Students, Community, Architects and Engineers are being trained towards the programme. • Audit Teams of children are being formed in each school to look into the issues related to the basic components of our environment e.g. Air, Water, Land, Energy, Waste and Built Spaces. • The students, community, school management committee, head master, teachers is responsible for monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the initiative at school level

The initiative has benefited the schools and students in the following ways: • Sensitize and involve children and community to sustain the good practices and maintain properties • Create favorable learning and teaching conditions through practical experiences. • Providing healthy and pleasant environment in school and neighbourhood • Increased enrollment and retention • Cultivates best practices among children in school and day to day life • Enhancement in overall annual school performance Since the core component of the project is participation of student and teacher in the initiative, the major challenge faced is the capacity building of students and teachers who are completing their school or transfer out of school. The trained student or teacher left the school creates issues initially, and later on developing system of train-a-trainer can resolved the issue. The overall cycle of the project is started with data analysis of the existing situation of the school. Based on analysis action plan for that particular school is prepared. School plan is implemented by school community which leads to the green sustainable interventions in the school. The school is again evaluated and collected data is being analyze for planning and improvement so the process is continuous improvement.