PUNJAB DOES A FIRST, INTRODUCES ENVIRONMENT EDU SCHOOLS
Mohali September 11:
Punjab has become the first state in the country to introduce environment education as a compulsory subject for all classes from I to XII in the state.
For the successful implementation and strengthening of environment education, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has released a monitory assistance of Rs 9 lakh to the state Government. The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), which was assigned the job, started the first two-day workshop for teachers, educationists and writers from across the state in Mohali.
PSEB senior scientific officer Shruti Shukla, who is the nodal officer for the project implementation, said while the textbooks of environment education for classes III-XII have already been prepared, a handbook to sensitise the teachers was being prepared. “For development of the handbooks, which will be in four sections of primary, middle, matric and secondary, the suggestions and guidelines from eminent educationists and writers were procured during the workshop,” Shukla said.
She added the two-year programme will involve training of the teachers and the incorporating of environment education in the school education. While environment education is separate subject from Classes III-V and XI-XII, it was included in other related subjects from Classes VI-X. The study and clearance of environment education is compulsory in all classes. “We plan to come out with around 150 pages handbook with the help of 300-400 resource persons who have joined us in the workshop,” Shukla said.
Addressing the workshop, PSEB vice-chairman Ranjit Singh Bajwa said many states had submitted proposals to MoEF to get this project, for which only Punjab was selected. Since environment education is a new subject, which has been recently introduced under the directions of the Supreme Court, teachers are finding it difficult to teach.
“By propagation of environment education, Punjab will not only achieve sustainable development but will also improve the general environment of state and lives of common people,” Bajwa said. During the workshop, core groups will be formed to provide study material for the publication of handbook.
Mohali September 11:
Punjab has become the first state in the country to introduce environment education as a compulsory subject for all classes from I to XII in the state.
For the successful implementation and strengthening of environment education, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has released a monitory assistance of Rs 9 lakh to the state Government. The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), which was assigned the job, started the first two-day workshop for teachers, educationists and writers from across the state in Mohali.
PSEB senior scientific officer Shruti Shukla, who is the nodal officer for the project implementation, said while the textbooks of environment education for classes III-XII have already been prepared, a handbook to sensitise the teachers was being prepared. “For development of the handbooks, which will be in four sections of primary, middle, matric and secondary, the suggestions and guidelines from eminent educationists and writers were procured during the workshop,” Shukla said.
She added the two-year programme will involve training of the teachers and the incorporating of environment education in the school education. While environment education is separate subject from Classes III-V and XI-XII, it was included in other related subjects from Classes VI-X. The study and clearance of environment education is compulsory in all classes. “We plan to come out with around 150 pages handbook with the help of 300-400 resource persons who have joined us in the workshop,” Shukla said.
Addressing the workshop, PSEB vice-chairman Ranjit Singh Bajwa said many states had submitted proposals to MoEF to get this project, for which only Punjab was selected. Since environment education is a new subject, which has been recently introduced under the directions of the Supreme Court, teachers are finding it difficult to teach.
“By propagation of environment education, Punjab will not only achieve sustainable development but will also improve the general environment of state and lives of common people,” Bajwa said. During the workshop, core groups will be formed to provide study material for the publication of handbook.
