06/07/2026
***Safe Water for Greener Schools: Advancing Sustainable Education through the Eco-Schools Programme***
Sustainable education means an education system that not only delivers learning today but also equips learners with the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors needed to improve their own lives while protecting the environment, promoting social equity, and supporting long-term economic development. It also implies that the education system itself is resilient, inclusive, and can continue to provide quality education over time.
In line with the Greening Education Guidelines, the Eco-Schools Programme supports educational institutions in achieving greening standards through a comprehensive assessment and continuous improvement process. Using the programme's seven-step methodology, schools are assessed across 13 thematic areas. The identified gaps are then systematically addressed, enabling schools to meet the required greening standards and progress towards sustainable school development.
The Eco-Schools Programme works with educational institutions of all types across Bangladesh, including Bangla and English medium schools, as well as government and non-government institutions. The programme also includes schools serving children from disadvantaged communities, including schools in urban slum areas, schools serving indigenous communities, and orphanages, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn in a healthier and more sustainable environment.
As part of the Eco-Schools greening assessment, several schools in the Rayerbazar area of Dhaka were identified as having no access to safe drinking water. Many students spent the entire school day without drinking water because safe drinking water was unavailable at school, while bringing water from home was often not a feasible option.
To address this challenge, detailed research and technical assessments were undertaken to identify the most appropriate water filtration solutions for each school. Following comprehensive water quality testing at the source and careful consideration of the needs of all students, Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Multi-stage Biosand Filtration Systems were installed to provide a reliable supply of safe drinking water.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of these facilities, Eco Committees were established in each participating school. Comprising members of the school governing body, head teachers, teachers, parents, students, and other key stakeholders, these committees are responsible for regularly monitoring the systems and ensuring that water quality is consistently maintained.
Through this initiative, more than 1,000 students across three well-known educational institutions now have reliable access to safe drinking water.
A special event was held on 30th June, 2026 at Rayerbazar High School to highlight the national significance of this initiative and its contribution to sustainable school development. The event also served as a platform to encourage continued collaboration and support for scaling up similar initiatives in the future.
The programme brought together senior representatives from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), public health specialists, environmental experts, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) professionals, and other distinguished guests, who shared their perspectives on the importance of ensuring safe drinking water in educational institutions.
Students from all participating schools attended the event alongside their head teachers and senior teachers, demonstrating a strong collective commitment to promoting healthier, safer, and greener learning environments.
Beyond improving access to safe drinking water, the initiative also addressed plastic pollution. To discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles, students were provided with reusable stainless steel water bottles. Furthermore, over the past several months, a series of awareness sessions on safe drinking water, hygiene, sanitation, and responsible water use have been conducted separately for students and teachers to strengthen knowledge and promote sustainable behaviours.
This initiative represents another significant milestone in the greening journey of the participating schools, bringing them one step closer to achieving the Eco-Schools Green Flag by meeting key greening criteria under the programme.
As the National Operator of the Eco-Schools Programme in Bangladesh, Probha Aurora played a leading role in the planning and implementation of this initiative. The programme was implemented with the generous support of a renowned banking partner, whose valuable contribution has helped improve children's health and well-being while advancing environmental sustainability and sustainable education in Bangladesh.
