Greening the Education Sector | 19 Jun 2024

Source: UNESCO

Why in News?

Recently, UNESCO launched two new tools, the Greening Curriculum Guidance (GCG) and the Green School Quality Standards (GSQS) under the Greening Education Partnership.

What is the Greening Education Partnership?

• About: The Greening Education Partnership is a global initiative comprising 80 member states to take a whole-of-system approach to support countries to tackle the climate crisis by harnessing the critical role of education.
  • It aims to transform at least 50% of schools, colleges, and universities into Green Schools by 2030, preparing learners to become climate-ready and active participants in sustainability initiatives
    • It also aims to achieve green national curriculum in 90% countries by 2030.
• Pillars: It is structured around four key pillars of transformative education aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 4.7
  • Greening schools
  • Greening curriculum
  • Greening teacher training and education systems’ capacities
  • Greening communities
• Need:
  • 70% of the youth surveyed in a recent UNESCO study stated they had limited understanding about climate change based on what they had learned in school.
  • UNESCO’s research on how climate change is integrated in the national curriculum frameworks of 100 countries revealed several challenges that need to be addressed.
    • Almost 47% of the curricula examined did not feature climate change.
• Green School: According to UNESCO, a Green School is a learning institution committed to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), with a specific focus on addressing climate change.
  • Principles of a Green School:
    • Holistic Education: Prioritizing holistic development by nurturing critical thinking, creativity, self-awareness, empathy, and ethical values in learners.
      • It incorporates personalized and experiential learning, interdisciplinary approaches, and community engagement to address climate change challenges effectively.
    • Sustainability Practices: Green Schools implement sustainable practices in areas such as energy, water use, waste management, canteen and building and school yard design thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact, ensuring the health and well-being of learners and staff.
    • Sense of Responsibility: Integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into the curriculum to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and global citizenship among learners.
  • Alignment with Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF): The Green school quality standard aligns with CSSF to integrate safety, resilience, and sustainability principles within educational settings.
    • The Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES) launched the Comprehensive Safe School Framework (CSSF) 2022-2030 on 12^th September 2022.

What are the Major Challenges in Greening the Education Sector in India?

• Lack of Comprehensive Sustainability Policies: While there have been some initiatives to promote sustainability in education, India lacks a comprehensive national policy framework that mandates and guides the integration of environmental sustainability principles across all levels of education.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Many educational institutions in India, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, lack basic infrastructure facilities, making it challenging to implement sustainable practices.
• Limited Integration of Sustainability in Curricula: While environmental studies are part of the curriculum in many Indian schools and colleges, the integration of broader sustainability concepts and practices into mainstream disciplines remains limited.
• Inadequate Teacher Training and Professional Development: Effective integration of sustainability education requires teachers to be well-versed in the principles, pedagogies, and practical applications of environmental sustainability.
  • However, many teacher education programs lack comprehensive training modules or resources to equip educators with the necessary knowledge and skills.
• Limited Availability of Green Building Materials and Technologies: India's construction industry is still in the process of transitioning towards sustainable building materials and technologies.
  • The limited availability and higher costs of green building materials, renewable energy systems, and water-efficient fixtures can impede the adoption of sustainable practices in educational institutions, particularly in remote and rural areas.

Way Forward

• Eco-Influencer Campaigns: Leveraging the power of social media influencers and student leaders to promote sustainability awareness and inspire eco-friendly behaviours through engaging content, and campaigns that resonate with the student community.
• Green Pedagogy Workshops Organizing workshops and training programs for educators to learn about effective pedagogical approaches for integrating sustainability concepts into their teaching methods.
  • Explore innovative techniques such as project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and experiential learning to make sustainability education more engaging and impactful.
• Sustainability-Linked Procurement Policy: Schools can be encouraged to deploy energy-efficient appliances and for promoting eco-friendly purchases among students, like notebooks made from recycled paper.
  • This reduces environmental impact, teaches students about responsible choices, and might even lead to cost savings in the long run.
  • However, challenges like supplier availability in rural areas need to be addressed for successful implementation.
• Environmental Entrepreneurship Competitions: Conduct environmental entrepreneurship competitions where students develop innovative solutions to local environmental challenges.
  • This fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and a spirit of green innovation.