School Bus – An Environment Conscious Option
Research indicates that the worst pollutants after factory emissions are those from vehicles that ply the roads in large numbers. We have over 6,000 students, and if each child commutes to school in a car, then imagine the amount of pollution caused every day, along with the resulting traffic congestion. In an environmentally friendly move, Udgam School has introduced school buses on popular routes. Besides reducing traffic problems and fuel emissions, this has been found to be a safer option too. Children simply love the bus ride with their friends and are always on time.
Please write to us at schoolbus@udgamschool.com or visit https://www.udgamschool.com/transport/ for more information.
Rainwater Harvesting, Recharging, and Water Management
The school has made a 10” diameter bore and installed a filtration system in such a way that 70% of the rainwater on the school campus is used to recharge the groundwater. As Udgam School is located on a slope, rainwater clogging is never a problem. Our rainwater system is expected to raise the groundwater level and benefit all the societies around the school. In the long run, it improves the quality of groundwater by reducing the TDS in water.
Installing Auto-Shut off flush tanks and taps
Many times, little children forget to shut off the taps, which means litres of water per minute is lost. Hence, the school has installed auto-shut off taps and waterless urinals to save lakhs of litres of water.
Installing power-saving appliances
Fans and tube lights are some of the largest consumers of electricity in a school. As an environment-conscious school in Ahmedabad, Udgam School has installed power-saving tube lights and fans, as they are used for at least 10 hours a day. Since our school is an air-conditioned school, we took extra care to install power-efficient air conditioners only in our classrooms.
Taking the extra step, we have installed the RISO FT 5430 with ComColor High Speed Inkjet Printer. It has significantly low energy consumption, zero heat generation, virtually no harmful emissions, and low resource consumption. It even uses oil-based ink and specific paper that is less damaging to the environment.
Sun Protection
Instead of making the windows opaque, which would block 100% of light, we have put films on the windows that reduce heat radiation and glare from the sun, whilst still giving light. We chose a film that reflects 80% of solar radiation and gives 70% of light. In fact, the use of tube lights can be avoided during the day.
Additionally, the airtight, double-glazed windows keep the hot air outside. In 2024, for our “Going green by going white” campaign, we painted the entire exterior of the school with SmartCare Damp Proof Ultra, a paint that provides surface temperature reduction up to 12°C – lowering air conditioning consumption.
Email communication
It is said that to make 3,000 A4 pages, one tree needs to be cut. We reverse that loss by communicating with our parents exclusively through online resources such as email, WhatsApp, social media, and Connecting Millions.
Digital First
As a tech-savvy school, we use multiple software to reduce dependence on traditional chalkboard and pen-paper learning. Our CRM, Connecting Millions, is used for all communication to parents. As a Microsoft showcase school, we use digital boards and empower students to use digital means of learning.
For internal processes of the school, we use emails and online communication channels, and software for record keeping to save paper in the school. In fact, the school fees are required to be paid online through Connecting Millions, which leads to paperless accounts and saving of paper and resources.
Minimal Marketing Material
Udgam School is one of the few schools in the city that does not print loads of brochure/ leaflet for marketing all year-round. Traditionally, for admissions, parents would visit the school and collect the marketing material. At Udgam School, our website is a resource for information about the school, saving a lot of paper, ink, and petrol.
Our admission inquiries are registered online and save a lot of paperwork. It reduced our costs and also sped up our processes. Thousands of prospective parents just log in to our website, get information about the school, and register for inquiry.
Lenovo ThinkCentre NEO Monitors
We have upgraded 100% of our computer monitors, which total up to over 200, to power-efficient, low-noise Lenovo monitors that dont need a CPU. This reduces the power consumption by 50% and heat discharge by a significant measure further reducing the consumption of AC. Additionally, Lenovo computers are developed and supplied sustainably and ethically.
Lenovo is committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. They provide Lenovo CO2 Offset Services with PC purchases and specific packaging is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) certified and plastic-free.
Carpool
To facilitate parents in getting a carpool, we have put a feature on our website where people can register their requirements. Parents can search and find the best carpool for themselves.
Computers to teachers
We offer our teachers a 3-year interest-free EMI plan for the purchase of the laptop. The total cost is recovered with 36 equal instalments, and no interest is charged on the outstanding. This policy reduces the dependence of teachers on traditional chalk and board methods of teaching and allows them to embrace technological advancements in the field of education.
The school has embodied the slogan of GO GREEN, as all the teachers have their own mail ids, and access to the Microsoft suite. Internally, all the circulars and important announcements are done through mail, hence saving paper and ultimately the environment.
Community service
Udgam takes countless initiatives for community service, from waste management (e-waste included) to clothes collection drives. The students with the Rotary Interact Club also visit orphanages and retirement homes to donate food and clothes to those in need of care. In our students, we instil a sense of empathy that they carry into the world.
Waste Management
Society throws a large amount of waste every day, which ends up in landfills and waste lands. Some of it can be recycled or decomposed. Hence, the school is working on a Waste Management System. It is best to segregate waste at its source.
We have installed three separate bins at appropriate places in the school premises for Recyclable, Non-Recyclable & Bio-Degradable Waste. We also turn the biodegradable waste into compost and bio-fertilizers. Let us all join hands to follow the new trend of Recycle > Reduce > Reuse waste thrown away by us. We would like to spread our initiative to the society at large and invest in the 3 R’s!