Muscat – In a major step towards integrating sustainability into education, the Ministry of Education has announced that 225 schools across Oman will join the Unesco Global Network of Green Schools.

The move follows the successful alignment of the national Green School Standards with Unesco’s Greening Education Partnership framework, the ministry stated.

According to a senior ministry official, the initiative – led by a national implementation team – seeks to promote environmental awareness, circular economy principles and sustainable practices among students, teachers and the wider community.

“These schools will serve as models of environmental learning and sustainability in action, helping students understand the importance of protecting natural resources and contributing to Oman’s green transition,” the official added.

The participating schools are distributed across the governorates as follows: 30 in North Batinah, 28 in South Batinah, 24 in Muscat, 21 in South Sharqiyah, 22 in North Sharqiyah, 24 in Dhofar, nine in Musandam, 12 in Buraimi ,10 in Al Wusta, 23 in Dhahirah and 32 in Dakhliyah.

Green School Standards encourage schools to adopt eco-friendly practices, reduce waste, integrate environmental education into curricula, and engage students in sustainability projects. By joining the Unesco network, Omani schools will also have opportunities to exchange best practices and collaborate with counterparts around the world.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, educator Ali Hamad al Sheyadi described the move as “a pivotal step in embedding sustainability into the heart of Oman’s learning ecosystem”.

“Children spend a large part of their lives in school, and what they experience there shapes their worldview. By transforming schools into living laboratories of sustainability – with green campuses, recycling programmes and energy-saving initiatives – we are nurturing environmentally responsible citizens,” Sheyadi said.

He added that the initiative aligns perfectly with Oman Vision 2040’s environmental and educational pillars. “It’s not just about teaching environmental concepts in textbooks. It’s about turning these schools into examples of how green values can be lived, practised and shared with the community.”

The ministry said the initiative supports Oman’s broader efforts to achieve Oman Vision 2040 goals and foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens equipped to lead the country’s sustainable development agenda.