Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Mohd Yusof Primary School and Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (MSPSBS) have been announced as the laureates of the 4th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Eco-Schools Award in the Primary School and Secondary School categories. The award ceremony took place in Vientiane, Laos.
This recognition was achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Development and the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership Centre (STEP Centre), marking Brunei’s participation in this initiative.
The ASEAN Eco-Schools Award celebrates educators dedicated to green initiatives. The award recipients include Mohamad Shahrin bin Mohamad Said, the education officer from MSPSBS, and Wong Nee Ek, a teacher from Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Mohd Yusof Primary School. The delegation is accompanied by Nurul Fathiah Bazilah binti Haji Brahim from STEP Centre, serving as the national focal point for Brunei Darussalam within the ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Education (AWGEE).
The award, held every four years, seeks to acknowledge educational institutions that exhibit exemplary practices in the Green School Programme. The objective is to inspire other schools to adopt similar environmentally conscious initiatives. The selection process evaluates the schools’ active participation in environmental conservation efforts between 2019 and 2023, both locally and internationally.
Moreover, the schools have received gold, silver, or bronze distinctions in the Green School Status 2021, evaluated according to the criteria outlined by ASEAN and conducted under the aegis of the STEP Centre.
The recipients’ involvement extends beyond the award ceremony. They will participate in workshops, attend school visits, and exchange best practices with fellow ASEAN schools. This interaction will foster the sharing of successful strategies and provide a platform to interact with recipients of the ASEAN Youth Eco-Champions Award (AYECA) from other ASEAN member countries.
Brunei’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable education is exemplified through such initiatives. The efforts of these schools and educators reflect the nation’s dedication to nurturing environmentally conscious citizens and contributing to the broader regional mission of fostering green practices within educational institutions.