PROJECT ROSE: SHAPING YOUNG MINDS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

December 28, 2024 Educator's Corner

Felto P. Agpawa

Irisan Elementary School has been recognized as Regional First Placer (Elementary Big School Category) in the 2024 DepEd CAR’s Project ROSE (Radiating Institution Operating with Sustainable and Environment Friendly Practices), marking a significant accomplishment for environmental education. This esteemed honor demonstrates the school’s dedication to incorporating environmental education into its curriculum in accordance with the Education Act of 1982 and Republic Act 9512 (National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008), both policies stress the value of educating people to become socially conscious and environmentally conscious.

Project ROSE emphasizes how important schools are centers of sustainability. All grade levels and topics at Irisan Elementary School incorporate environmental education to provide a comprehensive awareness of sustainability, biodiversity, and climate change. For example, Science, Aralin Panlipunan and Edukasyong Pangkabuhayan at Pantahanan curricula easily incorporate lessons on ecological conservation, the value of renewable energy, and appropriate waste segregation. Early exposure to environmental education has been shown to improve critical thinking skills and encourage pro-environmental behavior in young students (Tilbury, 1995).

The school has implemented a number of sustainability programs that go beyond classroom education in accordance with RA 9512. These projects include rainwater collection systems, tree planting campaigns, and the creation of eco-gardens. In addition to offering chances for hands-on learning, these activities help children develop a sense of responsibility. Irisan Elementary School’s environmental activities are a prime example of the Education Act of 1982’s mandate that education create well-rounded citizens by transforming students into environmental stewards.
The school’s emphasis on community involvement is one of its unique approaches.

Irisan Elementary School fosters a collaborative effort to address environmental issues by including parents, neighborhood associations, and governmental entities. This is consistent with research showing that community
relationships are crucial for increasing the effectiveness of school-based environmental programs (Chawla & Cushing, 2007). The school cultivates a culture of shared responsibility for sustainable growth through these cooperative efforts. Project ROSE’s accomplishments also act as a reaction to the urgent issues brought on by climate change. Schools like Irisan Elementary take proactive measures to prepare the next generation because the
Cordillera region is suffering from the negative consequences of catastrophic weather occurrences and environmental deterioration.

The school helps create communities that are climate resilient by giving students the information and abilities they need to reduce environmental threats. According to research, vulnerable communities’ resilience and capacity for adaptation are greatly increased by environmental education (UNESCO, 2017). More than just a compliment, Irisan Elementary School’s Project ROSE distinction serves as a call to action for other educational institutions to follow. Schools can enable learners to become proactive citizens and problem-solvers in the face of global environmental concerns by incorporating environmental education into their curricula. To ensure that the next generation receives not only knowledge but also a planet worth preserving, let us reaffirm our dedication to education as the cornerstone of sustainable development as we celebrate this accomplishment.