According to a new report, education is not giving students enough knowledge to adapt, act and react to climate change and environmental crises.
The , on the eve of the World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, reviewed the education plans and curriculum frameworks of nearly 50 countries from all regions.
He found that more than half make no reference to climate change while only 19% mention biodiversity.
The study notes a lack of attention to the socio-emotional skills and action-oriented skills that are central to environmental and climate action. In an online survey of some 1,600 teachers and education officials conducted for the study, a third of respondents indicated that environmental issues were not part of teacher training.
“Education must prepare learners to understand the current crisis and shape the future. To save our planet, we must transform the way we live, produce, consume and interact with nature,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
“The integration of education for sustainable development into all learning programs must become fundamental, everywhere.”
UNESCO has therefore set itself a new objective: to make environmental education a fundamental component of the school curriculum in all countries by 2025.
The organization works with its 193 member states to support curriculum reform and track progress to ensure that everyone acquires the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to bring about positive change and protect the future of our planet.
The Global Conference will bring together some 2,500 participants, including 81 ministers of education and leading actors committed to transforming education so that all learners can cope with the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and all the other challenges of sustainable development. It will aim to create strategies for the integration of education for sustainable development at all levels of education and training, in accordance with a new framework.
Photo Credit – Pixabay