MUSCAT, DEC 18
The Ministry of Education (MoE) recently celebrated the winners of the fifth edition of the 'Namat' Sustainability Competition at a ceremony held under the auspices of Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Haddabi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Research and Innovation.
Organised by the MoE through the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, in collaboration with the Environment Society of Oman and with support from Veolia Oman Company, the competition has been fostering sustainability awareness among government school students since its launch in the 2019-2020 academic year.
Operating under the theme 'Sustainability, A Way of Life', the initiative encourages schools to implement programmes in three core areas: waste management, water conservation and energy efficiency. The competition aims to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while advancing Oman Vision 2040 objectives, including achieving Net-Zero carbon emissions, mitigating climate change, promoting clean technologies and creating a diversified energy mix.
Dr Mahmoud bin Abdullah al Abri, Secretary of the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, highlighted the broader impact of the competition, saying, “As we celebrate today with our partners the honouring of leading schools, we reaffirm that environmental education and the greening of education and communities are not merely limited to specific activities, but represent a comprehensive way of life. This approach cultivates a generation aware of its responsibility to protect the environment, preserve natural resources and actively contribute to the SDGs.”
He further noted that environmental education in Oman has received sustained attention from the government, making it a cornerstone of the nation’s environmental priorities and resource sustainability plans. Educational policies now integrate sustainable development concepts into school curricula, equipping learners to understand environmental challenges and make responsible decisions.
At the ceremony, Shaikh Majid Bin Khamis Basic Education School in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate won first place, followed by Al Hassan Bin Ali Basic Education School from Al Batinah North Governorate.
Second place went to Azzan Bin Qais Basic Education School in Al Buraimi Governorate, while Umama Bint Hamza Bin Abdul Muttalib School from Al Batinah North Governorate claimed third place.
Special awards recognised schools for excellence in environmental initiatives. Umama Bint Hamza School received the Environmental Innovation Excellence Award, while Sumra Basic Education School in Al Dakhiliyah and Baad Basic Education School in Al Sharqiyah North shared the Environmental Responsibility Excellence Award. The Sustainable Entrepreneurial Projects Excellence Award was presented to Maawla Bin Shams Basic Education School in Al Batinah South Governorate.
The National Committee, in collaboration with local, regional and international partners, continues to translate sustainability education into tangible programmes across pre-school, primary, higher, technical and vocational education institutions. Prominent initiatives include the Green Schools Project, the GLOBE Global Project, the Pioneer Pattern Competition and the Mobile Puppet Theatre Project, all aimed at instilling sustainable development concepts in students from an early age.
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