Six Cambodian schools receive National Eco-Schools Award
Six out of 48 Cambodian schools have received a National Eco-Schools Award from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Environment, in partnership with Smart Axiata, in recognition of the schools’ promotion of environmental sustainability in their teaching and operations.
The three primary schools selected for the award were:
1. Vat Chaeng Primary School in Battambang province – gold award
2. Kravan Primary School in Siem Reap province – silver award
3. Chhoeur Kleum Primary School in Tbong Khmum province – bronze award
The three secondary schools selected for the award were:
1. Hun Sen Mittapheap High School in Kampong Som province – gold award
2. Hun Sen Sompheak Boreak High School in Kratie province – silver medal
3. Preah Bat Samdach Preah Baramneath Norodom Sihamoni High School in Kampong Chhnang province – bronze medal
With schools reopening soon following extensive closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eco-Schools Awards are a timely reminder that educating young Cambodians about the importance of protecting our fragile environment is more important than ever before.
The winning schools were chosen by a panel of experts from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Environment based on four main criteria: how green the school operations are; how environmental learning has been integrated into the school curriculum and extra-curricular activities; how effective the school’s sustainability practices are; and how the school has integrated their environmental education programs into the local communities through partnerships and outreach efforts.
“The National Eco-Schools Awards are not only intended to encourage students to pursue education for a better future but also to instill in the next generation a spirit of love for nature in order to contribute to the sustainable development of Cambodia,” said Director General of the General Directorate of Environmental Knowledge and Information at the Ministry of Environment, H.E. Chuop Paris.
The six winning schools were given cash prizes of 5 million Riel, 4 million Riel and 3 million Riel for the gold, silver and bronze awards respectively, which will be used to expand their sustainability efforts and environmental best practices.
“Education and the environment are two of our key priorities at Smart, and we are proud to be supporting these awards, which combine both of these priorities in a meaningful and impactful way. By recognizing these schools for their innovative and sustainable practices, we hope to be part of a major generational shift where young Cambodians are at the forefront of the urgent fight ahead to preserve the Kingdom’s unique natural heritage and make a real difference in mitigating the effects of climate change,” said Smart Axiata’s Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Hundt.
The National Eco-Schools Awards have been running since 2017 after Cambodia adopted the National Guidelines on Eco-Schools Awards in compliance with the ASEAN Eco-Schools Guidelines and Awards, a reference and regional standard for environmentally friendly schools in the region.
For more information on Smart’s CSR and Sustainability initiatives, follow the Smart For Cambodia Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smartforcambodia.