1. Common challenges and strategies to overcome them

2. Findings from a survey in 2012)
Statements
Yes No SW A
The school has an Eco-School committee
83% 7% 0% B
Frequent meetings are organised per term to discuss on Eco-school
33%
50% C
The management team supports the Eco-school programme by getting involved in activities and projects
75% 8% D
The teaching staff supports the Eco-school programme by getting involved in activities and projects
67%
26% E
The non teaching staff supports the Eco-school programme by getting involved in activities and projects F
Students supports this programme by helping out with projects and getting involved in competitions or activities
95% 5% G
Parents supports this programme
42%

3. Statements
Yes No SW H
Responsibilities are shared with other teachers when there are national competitions/activities
92% 8% 0% I
I have the ability to delegate responsibilities for national competitions and other environmental education activities
75%
17% J
Teachers do not know how to link Environmental Education in the curriculum
25%
67% K
I communicate the information on memos during morning briefings L
I do not know what to do at school level to commemorate theme days
83% M
I do not know how to initiate a project
33% N
I do not know how to include some components of the programme during Professional development sessions
50% O
Only a small group of teachers are able to help out with projects

4. Statements
Yes No SW P
The programme is linked with other structures in school like the house system
33%
67% 0% Q
I do not know how to involve staff and students in the programme 8%
92% R
I do not know how to involve parents in the programme
25%
75% S
I need more guidance in time management T
I need more guidance in planning for activities
58%
42% U
I need more guidance to link the programme with other structures in school V
I need more guidance to delegate responsibilities for a competition, activity or project W
I love what I do and want to make an impact in the programme
83%
17%

5. Other comments
Time constraint
Finance for activities and projects
Need capacity building to initiate educational activities or projects with EE concept
Lack of support from Head-teacher who only targets academic affairs. Same applies for teachers
Only a small group of teachers who are active gets involved and they also form part of other committees

6. Group-work 3: Why is it a challenge? How did this happen?
Looking at solutions/strategies to deal with some of the challenges
Consider the Why? What? How?
Why is it a challenge?
How did this happen?
What could be done to deal with the challenge?
Work on handout by taking the common challenges and state strategies and methods

7. Plenary

8. Strategies/Solutions
Challenges
Strategies/Solutions
Difficulty to organise Eco-School committee meeting
Meetings are at times beneficial and get quite tiring if done frequently when there are other things to be done at work
However it is up to you and the members to choose the most appropriate time and date for meeting
This is why a calendar of meeting should be established at the beginning of each term to organize at least two-three meetings per term. Some schools organizes meetings every three consecutive weeks. But again it is up to all members to decide.
Meetings could take place early in the morning from 7:00 to 7:30 am, from 12:00 to 12:20 pm or after school hours.
Meetings can last for minutes depending on points for discussion of upcoming activities/national competitions/school projects/ special exhibition/pressing issues and many more.

9. Lack of support and involvement from management team in activities and projects
A good relationship with the head-teacher will help to involve management members within the programme
Organise to meet with the head-teacher at least once every two weeks or three weeks and share the Eco- School action plan and discuss on your vision and plans for the school.
Show that there is a way for the school to improve further and that you are expecting things to change.
If you sit on SI team committee then you are one step ahead, make sure you incorporate Eco-School concept on the agenda to report on weaknesses and suggestions. Strengths should also come out strongly.
Propose ideas that will involve the participation of everyone at first such as making learning fun through different use of strategies and methods that is linked with Environmental Education. For example recycling materials to produce visual aids, teaching outdoors in the afternoon etc…
Approach subject coordinators and share how resources available should be used and explain its benefits.

10. Lack of support and involvement from teaching staff in activities and projects
Make use of morning briefings to share information from memo or information based on observations or from committee meetings
Delegate responsibilities amongst committee members to take charge and encourage teachers at their respective cycle to initiate new activities based on what has been proposed in meetings or ask the teacher to suggest what he/she could do to make the classroom more appealing and making use of EE concept in lessons.
Include the Eco-School concept in existing structures like the house system so that all teachers could get involved and gets pointes for their effort within their respective house. Initiate activities/competitions within the house system such as adopting an area on school compound.
Make use of Professional Development session to build capacity of teachers on EE based on weaknesses identified.

11. Lack of support and involvement from non- teaching staff in activities and projects
Same applies as above.
Ensure that you take time to pay a visit to the teaching/non teaching staff to find out their good practices to be shared during morning briefings etc…
Organise to meet with the Office manager and cleaners to brief them on the concept of Eco-School and its criteria based on hygiene, cleaning materials and chemicals, compost site etc… Show them that you mean business and you also care for their health and well being.

12. Parents partly supports this programme
This is not easy in most cases but sitting down and getting technical support different activities/projects could be organized to involve more parents.
Make use of PTA/School council committee to brief them on the programme, its benefits and future plans.
Delegating responsibilities for national competitions and other environmental education activities
Make use of committee members and delegate responsibilities at all times.
There is a need to make sure that each members understand the purpose of such responsibility and what is expected from them.
Meet with other teachers concerned to help out with competitions and let them have a deadline.

13. Teachers do not know how to link Environmental Education in the curriculum
That is not an issue. Seychelles education system has already made provision foe EE to be integrated across all subjects. It is well observed in subjects like Social studies, Science, Geography, Combined Science, Biology, TE, Arts and Crafts etc… A language could also make use of an authentic text describing an endangered species in Seychelles.
There is a need for teachers to make use of resources donated by partners, which should be well monitored by Subject Coordinators and Librarians.
Incorporate special sessions in PD about the different topics or practices relating to EE that are already taking place in class. Then have teachers what more they could to incorporate EE in teaching/learning such as special lessons to commemorate theme days, students write or draw stories/poems for World water day in language class/art class then displayed in classroom or on school notice board.
When teaching topics like weather teacher can explore further on current global effect of climate change relating to pupil’s prior knowledge even if there is no objective about it in curriculum.
What is important is incorporate current issue and practice when teaching topics so that students can exp0lore the topic further.
Students should be challenged and not to learn from text books only but engage in other learning opportunities.

14. I do not know what to do at school level to commemorate theme days
Very easy! Do you have an Eco-School committee have teachers suggest what to do. A special assembly could be organized during the week of the theme day, with special presentations like poems/stories/role plays/mimes and many more.
Make use of morning briefings and inform teachers about the theme day for them to brief the students and organize other activities in class either during the lesson or as extra work for the fast learner.
Make use of house system to organize activities like poster competition to commemorate World Ocean day or food bazaar at school to commemorate World Food day.
Consult teachers and students or other School Environment leaders to provide ideas.

15. I do not know how to initiate a project
Projects are initiated by committee members based on weaknesses or an opportunity to support a national campaign or community work.
Some projects are also initiated by other partners and the good thing about it is that more than 70% of the project is funded.
Once the need or weakness is identified, you need to identify the activity/activities to be done to tackle it. Establish a working team, materials needed. Work on an action plan with step by step activities like working on an action plan. For example you cannot do a mural if you do not have the necessary resources and man power. So these two are very important. Ensure that you assign responsibility of an activity on the action plan to a colleague and set a deadline for each.
Record and gather evidence
Monitor and make amendments where necessary

16. I need more guidance in time management
Manage your time wisely like you manage your time to get things done at school and at home.
Working on a daily plan of activities is good but can change due to unforeseen activities. Rather note them down roughly in a special diary or on a paper and place it somewhere where it can be seen. Know which are your priorities first and organize your time to ensure that by the end of the week all you have planned to do is ticked off.

17. I need more guidance in planning for activities
If you are a teacher it is easy to plan environmental education activities. Just know what you want others to learn, who you want to work with, identify the resources needed, what time you hope to finish or end, will you need to take photos for evidence, will the activities be interesting, how can I make it fun and enjoyable, do I need to consult others for ideas etc…
I need more guidance to delegate responsibilities for a competition, activity or project
If you can delegate responsibility to a student to be a team leader, then working with teachers involves a similar process. Lead with example and others would also do the same.

18. ACTIVITY SYSTEM
(Expansive Learning)

19. EXAMPLE ARTEFACTS OUTCOME SUBJECT OBJECT RULES COMMUNITY
List of strategies and methods
Handouts
Case studies
Videos
Eco-School concept
OUTCOME
SUBJECT
OBJECT
Enhanced leadership practices
School Environment leaders
Ministry of Environment and Energy
Dealing with challenges/concerns within Eco-School programme
Vertical learning
Looking at scientific concepts and every day knowledge
RULES
COMMUNITY
DIVISION OF LABOUR
Ministry of Education’s guidelines regarding training
Policies
School children and staff
Parents
Other partners
Guest speaker, School Environment leaders as group leaders