Six schools of the 35 nationwide entrants have been selected as winners of the “Eco-Friendly School” competition for 2025 — an initiative that the Ministry of Environment described as recognising and encouraging schools’ efforts to implement Cambodia’s environmental education and sustainability principles.
Environment minister Eang Sophalleth presided over the October 23 awards ceremony, held at the ministry headquarters.
The six winning schools included two high schools, two lower secondary schools and two primary schools. The awards were divided into three tiers: two gold-level schools, two silver-level schools and two bronze-level schools.
The ministry presented “Eco-Friendly School” certificates of appreciation to the 29 other participating schools, along with letters of commendation to individuals and organisations from the private sector, civil society and environmental advocacy groups that have contributed to implementing the government’s National Environmental Sector Strategic Plan.
The “Eco-Friendly School” concept promotes environmental sustainability through the creation of clean, green and positive learning environments that benefit not only the schools themselves but also their surrounding communities and society at large. The competition has been held every two years since 2017.
For the 2025 round, 35 schools from 17 provinces submitted themselves, before undergoing a multi-stage evaluation process.
Sophalleth congratulated the winning schools and encouraged those that did not win to continue their efforts toward environmental sustainability and youth education in line with the three pillars of the National Environmental Sector Strategy — Clean, Green and Sustainable — beginning with fostering these values in the minds and hearts of individuals.
He also stressed the importance of strong cooperation between communities and local authorities to ensure effective education and sustainable development, noting that environmental issues are cross-sectoral and require participation from all ministries, institutions and stakeholders to achieve a “Clean, Green, and Sustainable Cambodia”.
The minister also extended his gratitude to Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, and Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, as well as other officials and partners for their support and collaboration in advancing the Eco-Friendly School Movement across Cambodia.
