2007: The CHR in Environmental Education, India

1. Environmental Education and responsibility of teachers –one day training in Andhra Pradesh:

A Day long training on ‘Environmental education in the schools’ was held for 85 teachers from 35 schools in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with ‘Sahajeevan’, an NGO on 15th Dec 07. The teachers were enthusiastically discussed about the adverse impact of climate change and global warming at macro and micro levels. They agreed with no space for doubt the urgency of imparting environmental education to the students through scientific experiments, which could be explained to peers, parents and communities during science exhibitions and community projects. The teachers have emphasized on the practice of conservation of water, energy and protection of trees at their personal level among the teachers as concerned citizens and also as role models to the students. The simple ways like switching off lights, electrical gadgets, closing water taps when ever not required, growing less water consuming trees, practicing traditional knowledge systems in farming in the school gardens were highlighted. All of them concluded that it is the moral and professional responsibility of teachers in inculcating the ethical values such as care, compassion and responsibility towards earth mother and her children among the students. Finally, teachers have formulated the charter of professional responsibilities, which they carried with themselves to display at homes and schools.

2. A Possibility of ‘Environmental Education & Responsibility’ in Indian schools & national/ State Children & youth conference based on Brazilian experience:

The Environment & Responsibility program in the schools is feasible in India. However it is a long way to reach the national level since each state has its own Education policy and the schools come under national government adopt separate policy.
We are emphasizing on the similar process as that of Brazil in the state. The officials & concerned individuals are impressed by our innovative experiment with ‘WIZ kids program’ for the last two years and the Brazilian experience. We are confident that our initiatives involving state government and non governmental institution at the national level and company/corporate would certainly draw the attention of our national government.
Preliminary discussions on introducing Environmental Education in the State schools based on Brazilian model took place with the Deputy Chairman of Karnataka State planning Commission. This is a positive beginning in influencing State government and other semi/non governmental institutions that are linked with the government to implement the program, which could become a model for national government at a later stage By influencing the state government nongovernmental organizations that are in the network of state government will also be involved in implementing the program in the state schools.
A national non-governmental youth institution, ‘Activ8 Foundation’ based in Delhi is keen on introducing Brazilian model in about 500 schools across the country. Discussions for strategic planning and funds before actual implementation of the program are under process. We would prefer to focus on Environment, Peace & Sustainable development as these are interconnected.