The number of ‘Green Schools’ in Hoshiarpur increased from 12 to 18.
Punjab: The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Hoshiarpur, has taken a major step towards promoting environmental sustainability in education by releasing a research report on the “Green School” program. Under the visionary leadership of Principal Dharminder Sharma, the dissemination session aimed to make schools eco-friendly and sensitize students to environmental conservation and sustainability. District Research Coordinator and Principal Investigator Dr. Ritu Kumar presented her research paper titled “Impact and Challenges of the Green School Program.” To ensure complete and transparent findings, the study included 105 schools across all blocks of the district, including government primary, middle, high, senior secondary, and private institutions.
Dr. Kumar noted that last year, only 12 schools achieved the prestigious “Green School” status by meeting stringent standards, but now this number has increased to 18. These schools were showcased as role models to inspire other institutions to follow suit. During the session, a detailed roadmap was shared for schools currently in the Orange and Yellow zones, emphasizing that small, consistent steps can lead to significant improvements. Key focus areas included effective waste management through segregated waste and composting methods, saving water and energy through rainwater harvesting and solar energy, and encouraging students’ active participation as “environmental ambassadors” by participating in tree plantation drives and ecological awareness activities.
Experts in the session emphasized these approaches, with Jagjit Singh providing technical information on the “Green School” audit and future prospects. The session included DIET faculty members Dr. Shikha Sharma, Baljeet Kaur, and Dr. Arjun Kateel, who encouraged teachers to implement these initiatives in their schools. The event concluded with teachers pledging to work together on the ground to bring every school in Hoshiarpur into the “Green Zone.” This initiative is expected to improve school infrastructure and foster environmental responsibility and awareness among students, leaving a lasting impact on generations to come.
