KG students of Athan Primary School receiving their award from Dr Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ali bin Rashid Al Nuaimi.- Photos by M. Sajjad
Sharjah - This year's edition had the unique distinction of being the first awards ceremony to follow the programme's expansion.
Published: Sun 13 May 2018, 11:00 PM
Updated: Mon 14 May 2018, 1:11 AM
Teachers and students who participated in the 5th Inter School Recycling Competition (ISRC) were rewarded for their outstanding creativity and innovation, at the Environmental Excellence School Awards (EESA).
The event, hosted nominees from kindergarten to Grade 12, from schools in Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Dubai and the awards were given away by Dr Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ali bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, known as the "Green Sheikh". Inspired by the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the EESA and ISRC are competitions held by the Bee'ah School of Environment, to encourage positive environmental action among students.
This year's edition had the unique distinction of being the first awards ceremony to follow the programme's expansion.
Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee'ah, said: "We have always been deeply committed to increasing environmental awareness in the UAE. It is impossible to secure our ambitions for a green future without the participation of future generations. It shows the enthusiasm with which children are embracing their role as environmental advocates."
In this edition of the competition, EESA - formerly known as the Sharjah Environmental Awareness Award (SEAA) - had opened participation for schools from across the UAE. The competition received an astounding 311 entrants this year, all of whom exerted their creativity and best efforts towards addressing this year's theme, 'Preservation of Natural Resources'.
A total of 14 awards were presented under the categories of Best Environmental Science Expe-riment, Best Environmental Film, Best Environmental Prototype, Best Environmental Invention, and Outstanding Individual Achievement. Winners were chosen by a judging panel made up of environmental experts and Bee'ah representatives, and walked away with cash prizes ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh25,000.
Winners in environmental excellence
>Best Environmental Science Experiment (KG to Grade 2 category): Athan Primary School, RAK (1st place); Al Nafaes KG, Sharjah (2nd); Al Shahad KG, Fujairah (3rd).
>Best Environmental Film (Grade 3-5 category): Omama Bint Abi Alaas (1st); Lubna Bint Habab School (2nd); Leaders Private School (3rd) (all Sharjah schools)
>Best Environmental Prototype (Grade 6-9 category): Gems Our Own English High School (winner)
>Best Environmental Invention (Grade 10-12 category): New World American Private School, Sharjah (1st); Delhi Private School Sharjah (2nd); New Indian Model School, Dubai (3rd)
>Outstanding Individual Achievement (Students): Joyal Joseph (1st); Jerin Sam Jojy (2nd), both Sharjah Indian School.
>Outstanding Individual Achievement (Teachers): Jaseena Hameed, from Sharjah Indian School (1st); Shoa'a Al Dhanhani, Al Massa Pri-mary School (2nd)
>Largest amount of recyclables collected: Delhi Private School (Large Schools' category), with 39.31 tonnes of recyclable material; Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services ('Medium Schools') with 7.17 tonnes; Al Sahwa School ('Small Schools') 11.44 tonnes
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com