La Digue school adopts eco-friendly practices |29 October 2012

A $15,600 grant for the project was signed last week between the school and the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

The ‘sustainable school project’ comprises energy efficiency, waste management and rain water harvesting components together with a small element of awareness and community outreach.

The grant agreement is part of a series of demonstration projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the Capacity Development for Improved National and International Environmental Management in Seychelles (CB2) Project being managed by the GOS-UNDP-GEF Programme Coordination Unit.

Signing the agreement on behalf of the ministry was principal secretary Wills Agricole, and representing the Ministry of Education was Michel Madeleine, the head teacher of the La Digue school.

Present at the ceremony were representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and of the Ministry of Education, the GOS-UNDP-GEF Programme Coordination Unit and the consultant who assisted in developing the project concept, Iris Richter.

Mr Agricole said that “the Ministry of Environment and Energy appreciates a helping hand from its partners in the sustainable development of Seychelles especially in areas which contributes towards climate change mitigation”. 

He added that “given the project aims to pilot the concept of sustainable management of the local school and reduce its carbon footprint, it shall have a positive impact on the initiative to convert La Digue into a ‘green island’”.

Mr Madeleine said this project will assist in making the school more environmentally friendly and encourage the use of more sustainable and eco-friendly approaches by the students and teachers alike.

The GEF, through the CB2 project, has over the past year financially supported several such activities on Praslin and also the University of Seychelles and the Anse Royale district of Mahe.