schools Archives - ESG Mena

The Ajman Municipality and Planning Department has announced the launch of its “Zero Carbon Schools” initiative, which aims to transform schools into “eco-friendly hubs.”

The initiative was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, during the Ajman 7th International Environment Conference.

Explaining the drive behind the initiative, Eng. Khalid Moeen Al Hosani, Executive Director of Public Health and Environment at the Department, said: “Our initiative was drafted with lofty aspirations to engage schools in minimising their carbon footprints and striving for net zero emissions. This endeavour not only assists in reducing emissions, but it also improves conditions at schools and mitigates their environmental impacts.”

According to reports, features of the initiative include solar panel installation, upgrading cooling and HVAC systems and promoting responsible resource use and effective waste management from the source.

The Redwood Center of Excellence has announced that it has become the first independent preschool in the UAE to receive International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) accreditation.

The concept, owned and operated by Dubai-based Kids First Group, Redwood CoE for short, first opened its doors in April 2022.

In less than two years, it has been authorised by the International Baccalaureate (IB) as a World Pre-School to offer the Primary Years Programme.

The IB, founded in 1968, is a global organisation that is organised into four programmes, one of those is the Primary Years Programme, which is now available at Redwood CoE until the age of six,

“Redwood CoE offers the IB PYP within the innovative blended curriculum of Montessori, Reggio, EYFS and STEM – this is not found in any other setting or school. It’s an honor to receive such a prestigious authorization, following a strict process monitored by the IB and we’re proud to be the first to set a new standard for early childhood learning in the U.A.E,” said Kamil Najjar, CEO of Kids First Group.

“Many schools offer the Primary Years Programme, but the benefit of staying in a pre-school setting is the extra care young children receive in a nurturing, safe environment where they get to explore without pressure, contributing positively to their adaptability and confidence,” IB PYP coordinator, Sima Abou Chacra explained.

The PYP, it was shared, is a student-centred approach to education that offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding.

Further, the PYP at CoE is conducted through an abundance of Active Play, which nurtures young learners’ holistic development, unlike Early Years Departments in schools, which are part of a wider instruction-led, standardised school system and more heavily orientated towards testing and assessment from a young age, it was shared.

“The programme’s approach to learning allows students to adapt easily to any big school they transition to, no matter which programme they follow,” commented Elizabeth Scahill, Director at Redwood Center of Excellence.

schools

Ajman Municipality launches “Zero Carbon Schools” initiative

Redwood Center of Excellence becomes first independent preschool in UAE to offer International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP)