Job Opening at GD Goenka Public School, Lucknow.
The school is constantly expanding its efforts and involvement in improving the environment and developing habits resulting in sustaining it. A green school is a concept beyond the curriculum. Much thought is given to creating and maintaining a healthy environment within the campus as well as areas surrounding it and to inculcate practices aiding this concept.
The architectural design of the school is the foundation in creating a green space; the campus is designed to ensure energy efficiency and conservation. Over 30% of the total area of the school is a green area, holding more than 150 trees and rest shrubs and grass. Less than 50 % of the campus is an impervious area wherein trees have been planted to minimize heat exposure to students and staff. To further reduce the heat generated through Sun exposure 82% of the roof area of the school building is painted white.
The layout of the school building allows sunlight to penetrate the classrooms reducing the unnecessary use of light fixtures. Large windows allow maximum natural light to illuminate the rooms. Wherever required, the installation of energy-efficient fittings is done. The campus has all LED bulbs and tube light fittings, 5-star rating air conditioners and energy-efficient electronic devices.
The rooms are large and airy. Air quality purifiers are installed on all floors especially the kitchen area and washrooms. The corridors have exhausts that keep the air in circulation and the area well ventilated. Open to sky patches are designed at regular intervals to reduce the consumption of cooling systems.
Alternative Energy is an integral source of power in meeting the requirements of the school. Rooftop Solar Panels have been installed on the campus to generate 50 KW of electricity. This helps meet 10% of the total requirement of the school. The completion of the next phase of the on-going project will helpmeet50% of the energy requirement, also reducing carbon emission and other environmental impacts of power generation.
The use of inverter-based air conditioners on campus ensures a reduction of power consumption and wastage. All the electrical types of equipment used in the school work on minimum power consumption. Furthermore, a well-planned maintenance schedule ensures that all equipment remains well maintained.
Rooftop and Non-rooftop rain water harvesting system with three recharge pits have been provided for complete and optimum recharge of runoff water within the campus. The harvested water directly recharges the ground water table.
50% of the population at school transits by school buses, which run on CNG. Pooled commuting and the use of most environment friendly fuel reduces the harmful impact and carbon emission of other fuels. Students and staff living in the 500m radius of the campus usually walk to reach school. Those residing within 2kms are encouraged to use bicycles. A routine fitness check of the transport vehicles is done to ensure optimum efficiency.
The practices carried out in the campus are not only environmentally friendly and responsible but also promote the consciousness for sustainability. The school committee and clubs at different levels work together to raise environmental issues and redress them through activities, where the focus is on the relevant outcome; thus students are important stakeholders in sustaining the green-school efforts.
School plans and organizes plantation drives regularly. Every year plant hundreds of saplings are planted in and around the school to create a clean and green environment.
The solar panels installed are part of the students’ project where they predict, calculate, and give a projected generation and consumption of power.
The campus uses compost and organic manure to add the nutritional value of the soil within the campus. The fallen leaves and grasses are mulched over the exposed soil to retain its moisture and prevent it from erosion.
Cleanliness drives involving all stake-holders are organized from time to time.
Regular sprinkling with the help of pressure-controlled sprinklers is done to ensure the loss of fertile topsoil from wind movement and air-driven erosion. The sprinkling is done on a daily basis on the exposed soil areas during the summers and high wing season sprinkling is done twice a day.
Use of disposable plasticis prohibited in the campus. Use of cloth/paper bags is stressed. Students have initiated many drives enforcing the message of ‘Say No to Plastic Bag’ at commercial places around the school and in their community. The students are encouraged to use recycled and repurposed items reducing the environmental impact of plastics.
The school is working towards reducing the use of paper and is also a participant in the Behtar India Movement, an important aspect of which is to promote recycling of paper. School observes Tuesday as Behtar India Day, wherein old newspapers are collected for recycling.
