The white paper was published as part of the Healthy Schoolyards programme, an initiative of Jantje Beton and IVN. The programme was made possible in part by a contribution from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) במסגרת the National Prevention Agreement. For everyone involved in education and educational facilities, this white paper provides insight into the importance of investing in a green revolution and making use of the schoolyard as the school’s best-ventilated classroom.
The white paper covers the following topics:
- What is a green schoolyard?
- Current societal challenges
- A green schoolyard as a solution
In this final section, the authors describe how a green schoolyard:
1. Supports the healthy development of children;
2. Contributes to knowledge of and connection with nature;
3. Supports the quality of education;
4. Promotes the climate resilience of the built environment;
5. Stimulates biodiversity.
The white paper, which was also contributed to by Sophia van Dam, Marlies Bouman and Vincent van der Veen, therefore concludes with a clear call to action: It is time for more green schoolyards!
On Monday, 23 August, the first day of school after the summer holidays, Dave Ensberg-Kleijkers and Marco Van Zandwijk were interviewed for NPO1 about the mission for a green revolution in the schoolyard. Together with Stefanie van Ulft, Vincent van der Veen meanwhile got to play outside in the fantastic schoolyard of primary school 't Anker of PCBO Amersfoort for a report.
You can find the interview and report here.