Sustainable Development in Education

I think educating sustainable development in schools from Key stage 1 is a great idea. This is will teach our future the importance of all aspects and will for them, become instinct to react and deal with it.

Education is changing greatly with new subjects being introduced. For example, sex education to promote safe sex, and the knowledge of STI’s, hopefully to decrease these diseases back into ‘rare cases’, Up to one in ten sexually active young people are thought to have Chlamydia, and in some places/schools where 1 in 4 students are suspected to have Chlamydia. Hopefully, this will prevent the disease, instead of having to deal with the disease.

‘It is informed by the past and relevant to the present, and prepares individuals for the future. Education teaches people to be better individuals, family members, community members and citizens.’(UNESCO online)

Scotland have already introduced this into their education and have a vast knowledge and learning departments to refer to, to teach all year groups the different importances of sustainable development.


Climate Change resource
The Climate Change resource for Scottish secondary schools encourages young people to investigate, communicate and act to tackle climate change.
The resource features the latest international research and essential information, details of climate research in Scotland, and photographs from around the world for use in Scottish schools.

Schools' Global Footprint
Use the Schools' Global Footprint resource to calculate the amount of resources you and your school use compared with what is available in the world and find out how to reduce your school's impact on the planet.

This should hopefully develop their awareness and understanding of the
Environment in which we live, and make them more committed to help with sustainable
development issues at a personal, local, national and global level."

The importance of Geography
"Geography is a focus within the curriculum for understanding and resolving issues
about the environment and sustainable development....It can inspire them to think
about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities to
other people and the environment.
However, other sustainable issues can also be taught in other subjects, not just in Geography.

The importance of Science
“...They learn to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own
lives, the direction of society and the future of the world.”

Design and Technology
They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and
environmental issues, .....Through design and technology, all pupils can become
discriminating and informed users of products.....

Citizenship
It encourages pupils to play a helpful part in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods,
communities and the wider world. It also teaches them about our economy and
democratic institutions and values; encourages respect for different national, religious
and ethnic identities; and develops pupils' ability to reflect on issues and take part in discussions.(www. Itsscotland.org.[online])

I think teaching sustainable development in all different subjects and integrating it into the learning is achievable, and will be very beneficial to our way of life. Its harder to try and make people change their views once they have been ‘set in their ways’, but if you teach the young from an early age, they will grow with the idea of sustainable development in ‘mind’.

In taking this module I have learnt so much that I was unaware of, and because I am a lot older than most of the other students in this class, I have noticed that they have a lot more knowledge about this subject than I do. I have loved learning more about sustainable development, and don’t feel so naive as I did when i first started this class, but I only wish I knew more about it years ago.


References:
http://www.fpa.org.uk/information/leaflets/documents_and_pdfs/detail.cfm?contentid=128
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sustainabledevelopment/findresources/index.asp
http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=27542&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
http://www.services.bgfl.org/services/pdf/yoenc.pdf