Muscat: On Monday, the Ministry of Education initiated a training workshop titled "Humanising Green Schools and Zero Neutrality." This workshop is being conducted in collaboration with the Environment Agency and with the support of Shell Oman, as part of the Oman Sustainability Conference 2024.
The two-day training workshop is currently being held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. It aims to train over 80 participants, including teachers overseeing the green schools project and members of the project's national team in the governorates. The workshop commenced with a speech from Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambosaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, who highlighted the workshop's objective of reevaluating the role of schools as influential entities in promoting sustainable behaviors that contribute to environmental preservation. This, in turn, aids in reducing the carbon footprint and achieving zero emissions.
Furthermore, the training workshop aligns with the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. It also reflects one of the strategic directions outlined in Oman Vision 2040, which aims to cultivate an environmentally conscious and educated society that actively supports green and circular economy projects.
Ismail Al-Abri, the Director of Occupational and Environmental Safety at Shell Oman, expressed his appreciation for being a strategic partner in the Green Schools Project. This initiative aims to raise awareness about environmental and circular economic issues, sustainability, and empower students, teachers, and society with the necessary knowledge and skills to find sustainable solutions to today's environmental challenges.
Al-Abri emphasized the importance of preparing a conscious and educated generation that actively participates in solving environmental issues. He highlighted the significance of qualitative projects that can be implemented on the ground, providing training for teachers involved in the project and equipping them with optimal knowledge in environmental topics. This will enable them to guide and support students in their environmental projects, promote the utilization of school resources for sustainable projects, and transform the school environment into a stimulating and inspiring space for creativity and purposeful initiatives.
Dr. Sulaiman Al-Jamoudi, the Director-General of the Directorate-General of Educational Supervision, led the inaugural session titled "Climate Affairs and Zero Neutrality in National Plans and Policies." This session featured the presentation of four papers. The first paper, "The Efforts of the Environment Agency in climate affairs," was presented by Ibrahim Al-Ajmi from the Environment Agency. Nasser Al-Ruzaiqi from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals presented the second paper, "The Path Towards a Sustainable Energy Future in the Sultanate of Oman." The third paper, "Indicators of the Seventh Goal of the Fourth Goal of Sustainable Development," was presented by Khalid Al-Ma’awali from the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. Lastly, Dr. Huda Al-Dayri from the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science presented the fourth paper, titled "Greening the Curricula Towards a Sustainable Green Generation."
On the second day of the training workshops, four papers were discussed. The first paper, presented by HH Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambosaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, was titled "Humanizing green schools and their implications for improving the educational system." Maha Al-Balushi from the Environment Agency presented the second paper, titled "The National Program for Zero Neutrality in the Sultanate of Oman: Reality and Ambition." Dr. Rania Abdul Rahman Othman Bashir from the Oman College of Management and Technology presented the third paper, titled "Green School Architecture towards Achieving Zero Neutrality." Lastly, Najla Al-Shaidi and Fawzia Al-Habsi from Oman College for Tourism presented the fourth and final paper, titled "Hoteling Schools towards Luxury and Decent Life."
