Filenews 4 November 2025 - by Evangelia Sizopoulou
The recent catastrophic fires in mountainous Limassol and all the tragic things they left behind in their wake, gave the impetus to the Ministry of Education to think about the issue of education around these issues but also to cultivate the culture of protecting the environment and forests through the support of students.
Following an initiative of the Education Unit for the Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry has set for this year, as an emphasis on the goal, the further strengthening and empowerment of students in the issues of forest protection and prevention from forest fires.
The main slogan of the goal under emphasis is "Forests have no voice – be theirs: We learn – We prevent – We protect – We act" and its purpose is to strengthen forest consciousness and strengthen the ability of young people to adopt measures that will contribute to the protection of our forest wealth and the prevention of forest fires.
Specifically, priority will be given to: a) developing knowledge and understanding about the causes, impacts and consequences of forest fires on the natural environment, society and the economy, b) linking to climate change, forests and biodiversity, so that students understand the importance of prevention and resilience at local, national and global level, both in relation to the conservation and protection of forests and local communities, c) cultivation of environmental awareness and values, promoting attitudes of respect, responsibility and protection towards forests, nature and rural life, d) development of prevention and safety skills, such as risk identification, basic protection and safety practices, first aid for people and animals, as well as the use of technological tools for the monitoring and early notification of fires, e) strengthening creativity and innovation, through the development and promotion of original ideas, technological solutions, artistic expressions and awareness campaigns, f) cultivating active citizenship and volunteerism, encouraging the participation of young people in actions for the protection of forests, cooperation with local communities and others institutions, as well as the undertaking of initiatives for the prevention of fires and the promotion of sustainability, and g) the promotion of intergenerational cooperation, through the utilization of traditional knowledge, the exchange of experiences with the older generations and the participation in local networks, with the aim of disseminating good practices and strengthening collective responsibility on issues related to our natural capital and forest wealth.
According to the Ministry of Education, the aim of the effort is to strengthen the existing actions and programs that are already being implemented in schools of all levels and these are actions that can be implemented in the context of various subjects of the Curriculum.
Based on the planning made by the Education Unit for the Environment and Sustainable Development, the focus of the actions is on the school and the cooperation with local communities and other public and private bodies, which can contribute to the effort, as well as the State Network of KPEs. The proposed actions are multi-level and interdisciplinary and cover all levels. It is noted that the schools have already received an annex with indicative actions, which are formulated as suggestions, with the aim of enriching the existing activities and actions of the school units.
