Campaign group warns Education Secretary over green school policy

The government is in danger of jeopardising the work on green schools across the country, according to a student campaign network.

People & Planet is calling on the Government not to jeopardise green education for students across the country. Having controversially cut the schools rebuilding programme and recently cut a scheme to create 5000 green work experience placements, the Education Secretary's department now looks set to drop a coordinated approach to creating sustainable schools.

The group says Education Secretary Michael Gove has made it clear in briefings that he intends to drop Department of Education support for the Sustainable School Strategy. Evidence from the previous education department and numerous other sources has shown that those schools who implement sustainability have raised standards as well as staff and pupils well being.

People & Planet, which coordinates the Go Green campaign to help schools cut their carbon emissions, today called on the Government to ensure that there are opportunities and resources for all students to learn about sustainability issues.

Matt McMullen, a student member of People & Planet, said: "As a young person, I and the rest of my generation recognise the colossal challenges ahead. It is vital that we continue to support schools to become sustainable, especially at this critical moment, so that we can create a big society where we can tackle the defining issues of our generation. We want a better future"

Jamie Clarke, People & Planet's education manager, said: "Abandoning a coordinated approach to creating sustainable schools, is akin to abandoning hope that the next generation can tackle the greatest threats to our society. It further compounds the impression that the coalition government is saddling the future generation with an environmental debt. Schools produce a fifth of all public sector greenhouse emissions, tackling these emissions would not only help climate change it would also save millions in public spending.

"A truly green government would see sustainable education being at the heart of learning. The coalition government framed itself as the 'greenest' government ever but is planning to end support for schools to teach sustainability.

"Schools need to be at the heart of the green society, preparing the next generation for the challenges that face our world and to be at the forefront of the future economy. Now is the time to invigorate young people's understanding of environmental, economic and community needs, not the time to drop it. By doing so we can improve students achievements and make significant financial savings now and in the future," added Clarke.

Source: ADEXEC