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Nurturing eco-conscious classrooms in the Republic of Korea
The actively supports teachers from kindergarten to secondary school who are interested in environmental issues and sustainable education. The organization is dedicated to raising awareness about sustainable development, while enhancing teachers' skills, and implementing eco-friendly changes in schools, specifically emphasizing the connection between nature and children.
Through lectures and ecological research in natural settings like forests, rivers, mudflats, and wetlands, the organization hopes to encourage the adoption of eco-friendly practices in classrooms. Such examples include the involvement of students in discussions about the causes of the climate crisis and the organization of a sustainable cooking recipe contests at school. Students are also encouraged to spearhead ecological clubs, such as those focused on school gardening, beekeeping, and eco-sports.
We hope that all teachers in charge of educating youth will have their eyes further opened to the vital importance of the environment and the need to preserve it, leading them to be more proactive in developing their own environmental education activities†(The Korean National Teacher’s Society for the Protection of Life and the Environment).
Equipping educators with eco-friendly teaching tools and methods
Over the past two years, KNTSPLE has organized over 100 online environmental education study sessions focused on addressing contemporary challenges in climate justice. As part of the programme to address acts of climate justice, students often take part in strikes and marches to raise awareness about the effects of climate change. “We aim to boost the power of environmental education to foster environmental sensitivity among future generations and encourage them to develop an environmentally friendly lifestyle,†states the Korean National Teacher’s Society for the Protection of Life and the Environment.
The Republic of Korea’s educators also have the opportunity to exchange knowledge and best practices; sharing successful teaching methods that address local environmental issues. By doing so, the Republic of Korea is ensuring that teachers have the support, tools and resources needed to integrate sustainability into learning and in turn, foster a generation of environmentally conscious learners. The Republic of Korea’s commitment to supporting educators aligns with UNESCO’s ESD for 2030 Roadmap, emphasizing the importance of educators in promoting sustainability.
As part of UNESCO’s efforts to strengthen ESD, the ESD for 2030 Roadmap encourages Member States to implement country initiatives. These aim to mainstream ESD in the Member States while building on existing activities on ESD in five priority action areas 1) Advancing policy; 2) Transforming learning environments; 3) building capacities of educators; 4) Empowering and mobilizing youth; 5) Accelerating local level actions.
