The Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning and the Ministry for Education are entering into an agreement to carry out greening projects in government schools, in order to create ecological school environments, the government said in a statement.

Following discussions between Ambjent Malta and the Foundation for Tomorrow's Schools, three schools were selected for the first urban greening projects: Mrieħel Secondary School, Maria Tereża College, and the Primary Schools of Marsaxlokk and Zejtun, St. Thomas Moore College.

This was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia and the Minister for Education Justyne Caruana during a visit to Mrieħel Secondary School.

These projects are being announced today on International Children’s Day, which this year is being commemorated with the global theme “A Better Future for Every Child.”

Projects range from improving and assisting in the planting of trees and shrubs, to incorporating green design in schools.

Ambjent Malta in collaboration with the FTS will be responsible for the implementation of this agreement, through which it will provide technical assistance on urban green infrastructure projects as required and implement urban greening measures and ecological infrastructure to address environmental pollution with a view of improving quality of life and wellbeing in government schools.

At the launch, Minister Aaron Farrugia said such initiatives are part of a broader plan to green urban areas in which we live, work, and where our children spend their days. “These projects will create vibrant and sustainable spaces that enhance biodiversity even in urban areas, and also strengthen social, health and economic aspects, as well as our resilience to climate change,” said Minister Farrugia.

Minister Justyne Caruana said this agreement will lead to more good practices when it comes to the environment, sustainability and climate change. “This is a very important message that we want to pass on to our children and the community, as today we are celebrating International Children’s Day with the theme of looking to the future that we want to give our children,” Minister Caruana said.

Ministers Farrugia and Caruana symbolically presented plants to two students of the School.

Also present at the launch of the project were Ambjent Malta Directors Herman Galea and Josianne Muscat, the Chief Executive of FTS, Neville Young and the Principal and Head of School, Victor Agius and Mario Bugeja.