How Do We Engage Students In Environmental Issues?
Our earth is dying slowly day-by-day. It scares me to read the damage
we are doing to our beloved earth. Seeing beautiful animals go extinct due to
their habitat being invaded is devastating. We, in the 21st
generation, will suffer if we don’t do something about it now. Schools in Sharjah should focus on
grooming students for earth-friendly sustainable projects and connect them to
all core subjects they learn in the class. Environmental awareness should be
taught under 3 main headings (Natural resources and environmental
revitalization, hazardous waste substance prevention, Resource management in
the community). More emphasis should be put on research based learning on areas
related to natural resources and environment, to enable students understand
about the quality of life, economy, and society.
Industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancement are
crucial, to enhance the quality of life. However, this has taken a toll on the
environment. Students should be taught interdependence of existence e.g. bees
and pollination, vegetation cover and rain, etc. In Sharjah
Indian School, birthdays are celebrated by planting a tree or flower in
the school. Deeply, if this practice is carried out worldwide, imagine the
number of trees that would be planted in a day.
Schools should organize Ecosystem Penpals programme as way to connect
students globally to exchange best practices. A lot of campaigns that is
connected with all aspects of environment should be conducted on a regular
basis with positive outcomes that changes the attitude and behavior of
student’s outlook.
Students should be given opportunities to involve and participate in
environmental summits, be part of discussions to make better visible changes.
We are the future, involve us and let us be part of the change. As said by
Margret Head,"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever
has."No matter how small the change you make towards making the earth a
better place, it is better than doing nothing at all.”
Ashaank Kaimal Nair
Grade 8
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