Vila Nova de Famalicão is once again in the Top 5 of the ranking of Portuguese municipalities with more schools awarded with the Eco-Schools flag. This year, the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão has 57-awarded educational institutions, two more than in the previous school year.
The Eco-Schools programme aims to encourage, recognise and reward the work developed by the school in the improvement of its environmental performance and awareness/education for the need to adopt more sustainable behaviours.
In total, five eco-groupings (Camilo Castelo Branco, Pedome, Ribeirão, D. Sancho I and Padre Benjamim Salgado) were distinguished. Camilo Castelo Branco Secondary School, EB 2,3 Júlio Brandão, EB/JI Luís de Camões, EB Conde S. Cosme, EB/JI Antas, EB/JI Lagoa, JI Lameiras, EB de Landim, EB de Seide S. Miguel, JI de Seide S. Miguel, Escola Secundária D. Sancho I, EB 1,2 Dr. Nuno Simões, EB Esmeriz, EB/JI Cabeçudos, EB S. Miguel o Anjo, EB/JI Louredo, JI Esmeriz, JI Laje, EB 2,3 D. Mateus, EB/JI Oliveira Santa Maria, EB/JI Avenida - Riba de Ave, EB Castelões, JI Bente, EBI Gondifelos, EB Ribeirão, EB Barranhas - Vilarinho das Cambas, EB Lousado, EB Valdossos - Fradelos, EB/JI Sapugal - Fradelos, EB1 Ribeirão, JI Aldeia Nova - Ribeirão, Didáxis, Cooperativa de Ensino, Calendário Social Centre, CIOR Professional School, Bairro Social Centre, Riba d' Ave Social and Cultural Centre, Engenho - East Valley Local Development Association, ATC College - Joane, Associação Gerações and Machado Ruivo College were the institutions of the municipality that won awards.
Eco-Schools is an Education Programme for Sustainable Development promoted in Portugal by the European Blue Flag Association (ABAE), the Portuguese section of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Developed in Portugal since 1996, the programme is currently implemented in over 2045 schools throughout the country, covering all educational levels. It aims at disseminating a methodology of approach to environmental issues inspired in Agenda 21.
A school/institution that joins Eco-Schools undertakes to develop a set of actions and activities that should involve the different elements of the school community, with special focus on students, teachers, educational assistants, parents and the surrounding community, namely the municipality.
This programme also aims to create habits of participation and citizenship, with the main objective of finding solutions to improve the quality of life at school and in the community