One hundred schools have been selected in the context of the project titled" Empowering Rwandan Education Professionals project to deepen environmental protection and climate change through “Green School Initiatives” to pilot Eco-schools program in Rwanda.

This project is funded by DFID as an innovation for education and is implemented in Gicumbi, Kirehe, Gatsibo and Ngoma by 2 local NGOs ; ARAMA as the lead organisation in consortium with FSDS.

This initiative was motivated by the fact that most schools in Rwanda don’t engage effectively in environmental and climate change education due to lack of skills among educational professionals, lack of related curriculum modules, as well as scarce financial resources.

The project is piloting "Eco-schools" as a holistic approach to promote environmental education in 100 schools making environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of a school.

Eco-Schools endeavours to extend learning beyond the classroom and develop responsible attitudes and commitment, both at home and in the wider community.

The anticipated resultats of this project are the following :

• 100 Eco-schools have tackled at least 4 environmental and climate change themes and have established schools gardens.

• Students have the appropriate knowledge of environmental understanding and appropriate attitudes and practices to the environment.

• The Government of Rwanda adopts environmental education in the school curriculum.

Key activities to be provided are :

• A baseline survey and environmental reviews in the 100 schools

• Training of 252 teachers as ToTs on Eco-Schools.

• Implementation of Eco-schools seven steps in 100 schools Linking Eco-schools with school Curriculum

• Creating school gardens in 100 schools

• School competitions in 100 schools and awarding the best 24 Eco-projects

• Awareness on Eco-schools through Radio shows, Eco-Schools website, online platforms and social media.