SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 1st October (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife has announced the opening of the application period for educational institutions to express their interest in the ‘Sustainable + Classrooms’ programme, which aims to engage students from 4th grade of Primary to 2nd grade of Secondary in enhancing waste management through various activities throughout the academic year. The registration period will conclude on 30th November and applications can be submitted at: https://massostenible.es/
The Minister for the Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, stated that they aim for the educational institutions in Tenerife to “gain awareness of and engage in sustainable development, so that both teachers and students can become allies in tackling climate change and its repercussions.” “To achieve this, we have created Sustainable + Classrooms, encompassing a range of activities designed to elevate participant awareness and promote positive environmental practices,” she added.
Alejandro Molowny, the insular director of Waste, emphasised that through the learning experience in ‘Sustainable + Classrooms’, students become aware of environmental challenges, learn to adopt more sustainable behaviours, and enhance the ecological environment within their educational settings. “We desire for pupils to be pioneers within their families by fostering new practices in waste management and, broadly speaking, sustainability,” he remarked.
The aims of the ‘Sustainable + Classrooms’ programme include transforming educational centres into advocates for sustainability within the wider community, improving waste management at the institutions; promoting best practices related to sustainability, particularly regarding waste, responsible purchasing, energy, mobility, and water; as well as combating climate change through education and environmental awareness. Furthermore, it contributes to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
The programme employs educational resources tailored to different school levels, aiming to incorporate education for sustainable development into the academic curriculum, while fostering synergies with other environmentally-focused educational initiatives. In total, three educational sessions are conducted per class—one each term—covering topics such as climate change, energy and mobility, waste management, responsible purchasing, and water conservation. The initiative also includes a visit to the Environmental Complex of Tenerife (Arico), where students can observe the waste treatment processes employed on the Island.