Eco-Schools in Slovakia

The Eco-Schools program in Slovakia is represented by the project Zelena skola („Green School“). Its main focus is the education towards sustainable development and responsible environmental action. The project strongly supports building of local partnerships (a key goal of Agenda 21), students' activity and practical nature conservation. It also offers the pupils to see a non-consumer way of life and spiritual values all around them.

Every school follows the 7 Eco-School‘s steps. In order to be certified, the school has to fulfill the following criteria:

•  All measures taken by school follow the state environmental legislation .

•  There is no promotion of commercial competitions and advertising of consumer life style at school (e.g. no slot machines for drinks in non-recyclable plastic cups).

•  School accepts evaluation carried out according to the project methodology at the end every school year. Depending on its achievements, the school is awarded the Green Flag and the Green School certificate of one, two or three stars.

A school can develop its environmental activities in 8 focus areas:

• Environmental Education

• Water

• Waste

• Energy

• Transportation

• Greenery

• Nature conservation and fair treatment of animals

• Health and using of ecological materials and products

The Association of Environmentally-Educational Organizations Spirala, an organizer of the project in Slovakia, provides consultancy, offers educational programs, and carries out evaluation through the network of regional consultants. Spirala is also regularly publishing practical EE handbooks for schools and the magazine Dalekohlad („Binoculars“).

For more information about the Green School project and Spirala please see www.zelenaskola.sk and www.spirala.sk