In brief
The Greening Education Partnership (GEP) Secretariat confirmed that the UNESCO Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) accreditation system aligns with UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard. Schools finishing the RCQE process will be named GEP schools, accelerating regional sustainability efforts and moving toward the 2030 target of turning half of Arab schools into green schools.
Riyadh, November 2, 2026 – The Greening Education Partnership (GEP) Secretariat announced that the UNESCO Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) accreditation scheme matches UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard. As a result, schools that complete the RCQE accreditation will receive GEP school status, a step that signals stronger environmental and climate resilience in schools across the Arab world.
RCQE’s framework covers four areas—leadership and governance, the physical environment and resources, teaching and learning, and evaluation and continuous improvement—and includes twelve standards and thirty‑four measurable indicators. Schools are assessed through self‑evaluation, external evaluation and overall accreditation, with ongoing monitoring to keep them on track.
The pilot phase will involve up to fifteen schools in each of the 22 Arab member countries. RCQE works with national education authorities, UNESCO National Commissions and specialist teams to coach schools and share best practices. Even before a school finishes accreditation, RCQE notes that nominations for the pilot are separate from formal recognition.
RCQE accreditation will be listed on the GEP Tracker under “Greening Schools,” and on relevant country pages. The move links regional quality assurance with the international Green School Quality Standard and supports the GEP goal of turning 50 % of schools in each country green by 2030. RCQE says the initiative promotes regional cooperation, evidence‑based standards and a sustainable education system across the Arab region.
