First Abu Dhabi schools meet Estidama standard
10 buildings on the future schools programme receive Estidama pearl ratings
Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) awarded today Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) the three pearl rating of the Estidama Pearl Rating System (PRS) for the design phase of 10 government schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The schools – the first in the Emirate ever designed to comply with the UPC’s Estidama standard and the first-ever buildings in the Emirate to achieve the three pearl rating certification – are part of Phase III of ADEC’s “Future Schools Program,” which is an essential part of ADEC’s ten year strategic plan to transform Abu Dhabi’s education system.
“It is demonstrated that schools designed to higher levels of sustainability will not only reduce the negative environmental impact and be more resource efficient, but will also result in better student and teacher achievement and be perceived as a benchmark example to be followed by the communities where the schools are located,” said H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al-Khaili, director general of Abu Dhabi Education Council.
The ten schools – to be located in the Abu Dhabi suburbs of Al Bateen, Al Shawamekh, Al Shamkha, Baniyas and the Al Ain suburbs of Al Yahar, Al Foah and Zakheer – will cater to the educational needs of boy and girls. The three pearl rating for design is one pearl above the mandatory level of two pearls set by the Abu Dhabi government for all government buildings.
“When fully expressed across Abu Dhabi’s society, Estidama will touch multiple facets in people daily lives and the curriculum in school is one of the most important,” he added.
This achievement is particularly significant since this is the first time that the 3 pearls rating is granted to any kind of building in Abu Dhabi and demonstrates ADEC’s strong commitment to sustainable development.
“As one of the key pillars of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Vision, education plays an integral part of promoting long term sustainable development Through the different joint communication programs developed by ADEC and UPC, our next generation of citizens will clearly understand what sustainability means, appreciate the benefits of being sustainable and most importantly, implement tools and techniques that will help us all to achieve our future sustainability targets,” said Abu Dhabi UPC general manager, H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi.
