Examination of green school design criteria:sampling on existing school buildings in Turkey

Environmental pollution is a global problem and the steps taken to solve it concern the whole world and our future. It is necessary to train educated and conscious societies oriented towards the future. The school places importance on solving the problem because it is the place where basic education is made at an early age. Considering that children are in constant interaction with the environment, it is seen that theoretical lessons about environmental education, which are found only in educational programs in environmental education, are not enough and it is necessary to plan the environment to support this education. The design of the building also affects its output. The contribution to environmental education is not considered when school structures are designed. It is necessary to create places where students will learn by creating awareness, influencing their attitudes, developing their skills and experiencing them. The school structure and its characteristics, the visual impact on the student, interior design and so on is a very important tool for environmental education. In this study, it was aimed to contribute to determining the applicable criteria for the re-evaluation of existing school buildings within the green school, focusing on the individual, social and economic contributions of green school design criteria and practices. For this purpose, the applications in the green school samples and the necessities in Turkey were examined, and a questionnaire study was conducted to ensure participation of students, teachers and parents in "environmental decisions" and the current situation of schools was examined. The re-evaluation of existing schools within the scope of "green school" and the design of new school buildings as "green school" will enable the efficient use of resources, the protection of the environment, the creation of healthy and comfortable environments, and the reinterpretation of the school as a whole learning tool. It has been observed that some of the proposals for the re-evaluation of existing schools within the green school require little intervention and can be easily implemented, but mostly technology needs to be utilized. Considering that school buildings are "three-dimensional educational tools" for providing future generations with a lasting awareness of the environment, investments made in this area should be increased, adequate budget allocation and work to be done should be supported.