About the programme
The Eco-Schools Programme at Rusumo High School is a dynamic, student-led initiative dedicated to transforming our campus into a sustainable, climate-resilient learning environment. Guided by the ARCOS Network Green Flag framework, our student-run Eco-Committee drives real environmental, economic, and social change through practical action and community ownership.
From optimizing water grids and reducing energy waste to establishing circular compost systems and planting fruit-bearing forests, the programme blends technical audits, school leadership, and local cultural expression to create a lasting culture of environmental stewardship.
Programme focus areas
- Water management and conservation
- Energy efficiency and climate resilience
- Waste reduction and composting
- Biodiversity, greening, and livelihoods
2026 action plan highlights
Water management
Repair all leaking taps and pipe fractures, appoint student resource conservation officers, and reduce monthly water usage by 15% by the end of Term 2.
Energy efficiency
Reduce electricity usage by 10% through routine switch-off checks and ensure classrooms and dormitories are dark after curfew.
Waste and biodiversity
Deploy color-coded waste bins, establish a functional compost pit, and plant at least 50 fruit-bearing and shade-providing trees.
Eco-Committee structure
Student leadership
The committee coordinates school-wide action, tracks progress, and ensures that sustainability practices are visible, active, and student-owned.
- Committee Chairperson
- Vice Chairperson
- Secretary
- Finance and Resources Coordinator
- Publicity and Reporting Coordinator
Class-level champions
Two student Resource Conservation Officers are appointed for each class level to monitor daily practices and report on progress.
- Water tap and pipe checks
- Energy switch-off monitoring
- Waste separation support
- Green space and garden care
Key activities carried out
- Eco-Committee Democratic Elections: Conducted a school-wide nomination and voting process across all streams to select the 8-member student executive and advisory team.
- Operational Committee Meetings: Scheduled, hosted, and officially minuted formal student-led sessions (including the initial formulation on September 17, 2025) to track and update project timelines.
- Baseline Sustainability Audit: Completed physical counts and data sheets covering water, electricity, waste, and social indicators (attendance and dropout rates) to establish a starting benchmark.
- Community Awareness Launch: Presented the annual environmental goals at the general assembly and published the action plan across the main noticeboards and digital spaces.
- Waste Separation Deployment: Procured, labeled, and distributed 20 pairs of color-coded dustbins (Ibora / Itabora) alongside student training workshops.
- Organic Compost Pit Creation: Excavated a functional compost system behind the school kitchen to recycle 100% of organic food leftovers into agricultural fertilizer.
- Greening & Tree Planting Campaign: Executed a community planting day during the rainy season to deploy at least 50 fruit-bearing and shade-providing trees in high-erosion zones.
- Resource Conservation Monitoring: Logged daily data sheets tracking tap infrastructure repairs and nightly post-curfew room shut-down tallies.
- Inter-Class Hygiene Competitions: Designed and launched clean-campus inspection scoreboards between dormitories and classroom blocks to gamify environmental care.
- Data Comparison & Financial Showcasing: Aggregated monthly utility receipts against baseline audits to build progress charts demonstrating verified drops in water and electricity overheads.
- Community Environment Day: Hosted an outreach day featuring parents and local leaders where students performed eco-themed Kinyarwanda poems, plays, and debates.
- Dry-Season Care & Sustainability Protocol: Established a volunteer holiday watering schedule and survival tracking checklist to protect planted trees during the dry season.
Green Steps for a Sustainable Tomorrow: We Protect, We Produce, We Prosper.
Action plan
The annual 2026 action plan outlines the school’s sustainability priorities and implementation targets.
Download action planCommittee list
The official committee list captures the student leaders and focal points guiding the programme.
View committee listProgramme gallery
