In brief
The Greening Education Partnership (GEP) Secretariat announced that the UNESCO Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) accreditation system now matches the UNESCO Green School Quality Standard. Eligible schools accredited by RCQE will receive GEP recognition, supporting a regional effort to convert at least half of schools into green institutions by 2030. The initiative encompasses a detailed framework, pilot rolls out in 22 Arab countries, and integration into GEP’s tracking system.
On October 23, the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) Secretariat announced that the accreditation system developed by the UNESCO Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) in Saudi Arabia is fully aligned with UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard. This alignment was confirmed by the Saudi Press Agency, which reported that under the joint framework, schools that achieve RCQE accreditation will be formally recognized as GEP schools, bolstering sustainability efforts across the Arab world.
The alignment establishes a comprehensive quality framework that spans four primary domains: leadership and governance; the physical environment and resources; teaching and learning; and evaluation and continuous improvement. Within these domains the RCQE framework specifies twelve standards and thirty‑four measurable indicators designed to assess a school’s environmental performance and overall resilience to climate change.
RCQE’s assessment methodology integrates self‑evaluation, external evaluation, and formal accreditation, followed by ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement cycles. According to the Saudi Press Agency, this layered approach ensures that each institution applies sustainability standards consistently throughout its operations, from decision‑making processes to daily resource management.
Pilot Implementation Across 22 Arab Countries
The initiative currently covers twenty‑two Arab countries, with an initial pilot phase that aims to involve up to fifteen schools per country. RCQE clarified that a school’s nomination for the pilot is separate from completing the full accreditation process, meaning schools may participate in early learning and capacity‑building activities before formally applying for accreditation.
The program is coordinated by RCQE in partnership with national education authorities, National Commissions for UNESCO, and specialized teams that provide technical capacity building and exchange of expertise and knowledge. This collaborative model enables each participating country to tailor the accreditation process to its local educational context while maintaining international standards.
According to the same source, RCQE will also include the RCQE Accreditation Scheme within the GEP Tracker under Pillar 1 – Greening Schools. By adding accredited schools to the tracker, stakeholders can monitor progress toward the GEP goal of transforming at least fifty percent of schools in each country into green schools by 2030.
RCQE’s alignment with UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard reinforces links between regional quality assurance systems and the global benchmark. The Saudi Press Agency noted that these connections help promote regional and international cooperation, advance evidence‑based quality standards, and contribute to building a sustainable education system across the Arab region.
Under this framework, schools that earn GEP recognition will receive public acknowledgement, potential access to funding opportunities, and opportunities to participate in international networks that share best practices in sustainability. RCQE’s role as a facilitator means that schools can leverage shared expertise to implement renewable energy solutions, waste reduction programs, and climate‑centric curricula that align with UNESCO’s green education objectives.
By adopting a robust accreditation scheme that mirrors UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard, the GEP and RCQE aim to catalyze a transformative shift in educational environments throughout the Arab world. The initiative’s focus on measurable indicators and continuous improvement positions schools to not only meet green standards but also to become models of resilience and environmental stewardship, ultimately contributing to regional climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Ultimately, the alignment of RCQE’s accreditation system with UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard represents a strategic step toward building a climate‑resilient educational network that can inspire and support sustainable practices at scale. With the GEP Tracker in place and the pilot phase underway, the initiative is poised to advance the dream of a green‑schooled generation prepared for the environmental challenges of the 21st century.
