What is the Educational Value of the DWA’s Lead Teacher Programme? Presented by: Fadli Wagiet Metro South Education District Western Cape Education Department 1 st October 2010 Polokwane Limpopo Province

Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit on themselves. This we know – the Earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the Earth. All things are connected like the sons (and daughters) of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. Chief Seattle (1885) I think we are challenged as mankind has never been challenged before to prove our maturity and our mastery, not of nature, but of ourselves. Rachel Carson (1962) Why the Environment?

Why Environmental Education? There can be few more pressing and critical goals for the future of humankind than to ensure steady improvement in the quality of life for this and future generations, in a way that respects our common heritage …the planet we live on.” UNESCO “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela

Environmental Education and Action Environmental Education needs to develop learners as active democratic citizens who collectively and individually can take action for a healthier environment. Learners need awareness, knowledge, attitudes and skills for participating in the solutions to environmental problems. Jensen (1993) Education must also inspire the faith that each of us has both the power and the responsibility to effect positive change on a global scale. Daisaku Ikeda (2002) Its very, very important for us to take action at the local level. Because sometimes when we think of global problems, we get disempowered. But when we take action at the local level, we are empowered. Wangari Maathai (2002)

Are we alone in this endeavour? The Millennium Development Goals 2000 Goal 1: Eradicate poverty and hunger Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Goal 3: Promote gender equity and empower women Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Goal 5: Improve maternal health Goal 6: Combat HIV and Aids, malaria and other diseases Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

Millennium Development Goal seven 7.Ensure environmental sustainability: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes; reverse loss of environmental resources Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water Achieve significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020

World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) 2002 Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 – 2014) The overall goal of the UNDESD is to integrate the principles, values, and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning. This education effort will encourage change in behaviour that will create a more sustainable future in terms of environmental integrity, economic viability, and a just society for present and future generations.” (UNESCO, 2005)

DESD and Implementation Strategies Advocacy and vision building Consultation and ownership Partnerships and networks Capacity building and training Research and innovation Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Monitoring and evaluation

Environmental Education Skills For Action The first condition is “recognition of the challenge”; this requires skills in learning to know. Secondly, sustainable development demands “collective responsibility and constructive partnerships” which implies the need to develop the skill of learning to live together. The third condition for attaining sustainable development is “acting with determination” / agency; this calls for skills in learning to do. The last principle of sustainable development is “the indivisibility of human dignity”; with the educational task of learning to be.

WSSD and the focus on Water … the WSSD highlighted that water is not only the most basic of needs but also at the centre of sustainable development and is essential for poverty eradication. Water is intimately linked to health, agriculture, energy and biodiversity. Without progress on water, reaching the Millennium Development Goals will be difficult, if not impossible. Klaus Toepfer (2004) WEHAB … education should encourage understanding of the ways that environmental problems intimately connect to our daily lives. Daisaku Ikeda (2002)

The South African Constitution and the Environment: Chapter 2: Bill of Rights Environment Everyone has the right… (a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing; and (b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that … (i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; (ii) promote conservation; and (iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development

The Critical Outcomes and the Environment Problem solving Team-ship Effective, responsible self management Information management skills Communication skills Responsible and effective use of science and technology Macro vision

The National Curriculum Statement and the Environment The NCS and CAPS seeks to promote human rights, social justice and environmental justice

My Challenge to you I urge South Africans to affirm excellence and reject mediocrity in the interests of nation-building, socioeconomic development, and true liberation. The levels of underperformance in our education system are unacceptable high, and an unjust subversion of the historic promise of freedom and democracy that we’ve put before our people… we cannot continue with business as usual.” Naledi Pandor (29th May 2007) What do we do differently in 2011 in trying to let the people live the promise of freedom and democracy?

I Believe that the DWAs Lead Teachers … … are part of a WORLD COMMUNITY trying to improve the quality of life of all citizens by promoting the values of ecological sustainability and social justice in engaging in environmental projects that develop the abilities of learners to take informed action for a healthier environment for all South Africans I SALUTE YOU

THANK YOU