Schools Celebrated for Environmental Programs

MORE than 200 schools throughoutthe country are leading the country ininnovative ideas for protecting the environment,and their efforts this year maybe awarded with the country’s covetedBandera Azul (Blue Flag) status.Started in 2002 by the administrationof President Abel Pacheco, the BanderaAzul program in schools is an extensionof the environmental awareness programof the same name started years ago incoastal communities. Beaches that meethigh standards of environmental cleanlinessare awarded blue flags.In the Bandera Azul program inschools, participating institutions mustdevote attention toward water quality,clean grounds and environmental education,and have at least one program a yearto protect nature.“We are convinced that if childrenlearn to respect nature from a young age,when they are older they will have asolid, developed ecological culture,”Pacheco said earlier this month.