Green Schools in China

Abstract

Abstract The establishment of Green Schools facilitated environmental education (EE) in primary and middle schools in China, with different detailed criteria among the provinces. In 2000, National Green Schools Awards were granted to 105 schools. However, system constraints have hampered the development of Green Schools, including pressure to pass school entrance examinations; outmoded conventions of educators; shortages of equipment, finances, and trained teachers; inadequate environmental teaching methods; low sustainability of EE in schools, and limitations of Green Schools' criteria. The author suggests strategies to foster Green Schools. The transformation from examination-based to quality-oriented education will provide greater opportunity for EE. Other important priorities include improving environmental teaching methods and curricula, strengthening teacher preparation, and popularizing Green Schools. Key Words: environment educationGreen SchoolsChinese education Additional informationNotes on contributorsZuqiang Wu ZUQIANG WU is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Education at East China Normal University in Shanghai.