INTEGRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Hena Alyssa Marie C. Calamenos

What happens in our surrounding are said to be related with the current status of our mother nature or environment. It is a general truth that there are things that happen which are beyond the control of humans such as heavy rains, storms and flood. Even the current situation reveals that there are occurrences in the environment that are beyond the expectations of the experts including the super typhoons.

The situation of the earth and environment continues to worsen as the time passes by that is why the young generations should be informed about the things they need to learn on the environment so they can help in preserving the nature for the benefits of the future generation. The best way to inform the young generation is to integrate these issues and concerns on the topics being discussed in each classroom. Yet, it is really not easy to stay away from the coined lessons, the way environmental awareness will be integrated must be relevant to the needs and attractive to the learners who will be exposed to concepts about environmental awareness.

Undoubtedly, environmental issues are considered a problem of the entire world. Anbalagan and Viswanathan (2015) put emphasis on the threats on the environment. According to them it is the human’s desire to modern technologies and the drives to change their life style are threats on the environments and pollution day by day. What makes it alarming is because, even though in this point that it is a global concern, people still do things that hurt the nature. They posited that it is very important to have program that will support efficient use of resources to reduce environmental damage.

The schools should have plans, recommendations and actions on how to integrate environmental awareness in curriculum. Activities related to environment are one of the best ways to integrate environmental awareness. Even in geography or other learning areas, environmental awareness is possible to be integrated.

Republic Act 9512 mandates the integration of environmental issues in the curriculum. Still, it is pivotal to know if it is really implemented in the school level. Aklilu (2012) cited that it is evident in the revised curriculum that there are a number of integration of environmental issues to enhance pupils’ understanding of the situation and make them an active part of the change that the world needs.

DepEd integrates environmental awareness topics in their curriculum from private and public sector including day care, elementary, high school, even the tech-voc courses and out of school youth programs. So, it is now expected that these learners will become responsible citizen of the community who knows how to love and take good care of the international and local environment. Students will be taught the value of protecting, conserving, and rehabilitating the environment.

The author is Teacher

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I at San Antonio Elementary School, Guagua West District