Thousands of students from all over Ireland will take part in walking initiatives to make the journey to their school greener and healthierPublic Transport Minister, Alan Kelly TD, has today launched An Taisce’s Green-Schools National Walk to School Week, which takes place from 21-25 May 2012. The launch took place in Naí Scoil Íde in Raheny where Junior pupils put their best foot forward with a “Bling your Boot” event.
National Walk to School Week is a country-wide initiative which aims to encourage thousands of pupils, their parents and teachers across Ireland to walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool and highlights the benefits of active travel to and from school. This year, it is hoped to achieve a target of 20,000 pupils walking to school on National Walk on Wednesday Day (23 May 2012).
An Taisce Green-Schools Travel programme, which focuses on promoting sustainable travel on the school run, has been operating nationally since September 2008. The travel theme is funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and supported by the National Transport Authority. The programme is delivered through An Taisce’s successful Green-Schools programme, known internationally as Eco-Schools, in partnership with Local Authorities.
Speaking today, Minister Kelly said: National Walk to School Week is now one of the most important action awareness weeks in the Irish school calendar. It is only one of its kind in Ireland which promotes active and sustainable travel on the journey to school. As a national initiative, this week is an opportunity for schools to learn about all the benefits of other green travel options on the school journey such as cycling, Park ‘n’ Stride using public transport or carpooling as alternatives to the private car.
Minister Kelly continued: “Green-Schools across the country will take up the walking challenge in their own unique ways with schools organising events such as Walk on Wednesday Days, Feet First Fridays, walking competitions and fancy dress walks to school. I would like to encourage everyone to get on their feet for the school journey and I am pleased to see that many schools across the country will be declared a car-free zone for this walking action week.”
Notes for Editors:An Taisce Green-Schools Travel programme, which focuses on promoting sustainable travel on the school run, has been operating nationally since September 2008. The travel theme is funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and supported by the National Transport Authority. The programme is delivered through An Taisce’s successful Green-Schools programme, known internationally as Eco-Schools, in partnership with Local Authorities.
To date, over 850 primary and secondary schools countrywide have been awarded or are working towards a Green Flag for their work to make school travel more sustainable. The ultimate aim of the Green-Schools Travel programme is to encourage students, parents and teachers to walk, cycle, Park ‘n’ Stride, use public transport or carpool instead of using the private car on the school run.