A humble government primary school in Gujarat has set a towering national example in environmental education. The school located in Jivraj Na Muvada village of Gandhinagar district has been honoured with the prestigious Green School Award 2025 under the 'Green Your School' programme.
A National Victory Among Hundreds
In a remarkable achievement, the school secured the first rank, outperforming 720 schools from across the country, as confirmed by an official statement. The award, which includes a substantial cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, was formally presented at the 'Indian Green Building Congress' event held in Mumbai.
The school earned special recognition for its proactive approach, having proposed and initiated 11 distinct new ideas and projects centered on green schooling. The verdant campus itself, home to 1,200 trees, provides the perfect backdrop for its conservation mission.
Innovative Green Projects Leading the Way
The award-winning proposal is a blueprint for sustainable education. The school's visionary plan includes a suite of practical and innovative projects aimed at reducing its ecological footprint. These ideas, slated for future implementation, showcase a holistic approach to sustainability.
The key proposals that captured the jury's attention are:
- Creating home-made compost and establishing a paper recycling unit.
- Installing an earthen pot air conditioning system built with home-made materials.
- Setting up a portable biogas plant and a smart grey water recycling system.
- Working towards a 'Plastic-Free School, Plastic-Free Village' status.
- Conducting smart energy audits and using a solar-powered water pump.
- Fostering emotional well-being through a 'mood painting' area and a 'kindness wall'.
- Maintaining a 'red book' for data tracking on environmental metrics.
A Legacy of Environmental Stewardship
This national award is not the school's first accolade for its green efforts. In 2024, it had already received a climate change award from the state government, highlighting a consistent commitment. The school's philosophy integrates environmental care deeply into its culture.
On special occasions, children are gifted saplings, which they nurture responsibly until they graduate. Furthermore, students channel their creativity by building innovative models of fighter planes, satellites, windmills, and globes using discarded waste materials.
Beyond theory, students engage in hands-on conservation through a functional butterfly garden and a kitchen garden. These activities demonstrate that academic learning and environmental responsibility can grow hand in hand, setting a powerful example for educational institutions nationwide.
