The Environmental Star-Rating Project is a joint project between the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA) and the Ministry of Education which got underway in October 2008.

By introducing a compulsory environmental star-rating for all government and private schools island-wide, the SLGGA and the Ministry hope to raise awareness amongst all school-going children of the impact and
consequences of global warming and to encourage the next generation to take responsibility for the
environment.

This project commenced in schools in the Colombo District via workshops and seminars. Students of the schools which registered to take part in the project were educated on the actions needed to lessen the impact of global warming. Key areas focused on were: reduction of energy consumption; conservation of water; increasing the growth of trees; and recycling.

Some examples of activities that could be carried out in schools are: changing over to energy-saving light bulbs; switching off computers and other electronic devices when not using them; turning off lights and fans when leaving the room;

using watering cans instead of hoses in school gardens; rain water harvesting; using both sides of a sheet of paper to write on or print out material from the computer; using re-usable rather than disposable items; repairing, renovating and re-using school furniture instead of buying new items of furniture; and using recycling bins.

Twenty-eight schools attended the workshops held in connection with the initial phase of this project. In July 2009, these twenty-eight schools were assessed by independent inspection panels,
commissioners and Education Ministry officials. Given below are the schools with 3 star rating.

The schools will continue to be re-assessed each year in order to evaluate their progress with regard to
environmental friendliness. Thanks to the 96% success rate achieved in the pilot phase of this
programme, the Environmental Star-Rating Project is to be extended to schools in the Central Province too.

Adventure Sports Festival breaks new record!

The All-Island Guides Adventure Sports Festival was held once again this year at the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association's National Training Centre in Kadawatha.

Fresh challenges were included in the rigorous programme which was designed to test the daring and physical skills of the Guides (ages 11 to 17 years) in an environment of fun and adventure. Over 450 Guides participated in this challenging and exciting event – a record breaking high!

The programme which included swimming, a mini marathon, a commando crawl, a commando net, rope climbing, and various rope ladders, was once again put together and run on behalf of the Association by the Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment who willingly gave of their time in an effort to help the Guides
discover their potential.

The Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association gratefully acknowledges the generous sponsorship of the
programme once again by Nestle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Share your news with us...

Post your articles to:

Communications, Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association, 10, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7.
or Email to: communications.slgga@gmail.com