Vol. XXII, No. 109 [ Business World Online ]
Monday, January 5, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law a measure that will require the teaching of environmental issues in schools, particularly on the role of preserving natural resources in pursuit of economic development.
Documents obtained by BusinessWorld show that Republic Act 9512 was signed into law on Dec. 12. It was ratified by Congress on Oct. 8.
"Consistent with the policy of the state to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthy ecology... and in recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation building... the state shall promote national awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and the importance of environmental conservation and ecological balance towards sustained national development," the law read.
Tasked to integrate environmental education at all levels of the public or private school curricula were the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Science and Technology (DoST).
The law also covers barangay (village) day care, preschool, non-formal, technical, vocational, professional level, indigenous learning and out-of-school-youth learning programs.
Environmental education would include environmental concepts, laws, the condition of local and international environment, best practices, threats of environmental degradation and its impact, role of the citizenry, the value of conservation and rehabilitation of human resources in the context of sustainable development.
The lessons should cover theoretical and practical modules and should include activities like tree planting, waste minimization, segregation, recycling and composting, and marine conservation.
CHEd and TESDA were tasked to include environmental education and awareness in the National Service Training Program under Republic Act 9163 as part of the Civil Welfare Training Service Component required for all courses with a curriculum of at least two years.
Agencies shall consult with the academe in implementing the environmental awareness curriculum as well as the activities that come with it.
The DENR was tasked to inform all agencies on current environmental updates including the priority issues to be tackled in schools. The DoST would create programs to encourage students to develop environment-friendly solutions, devices and facilities.
The DepEd, CHEd, TESDA and DENR were required to undertake capacity-building programs nationwide like training, seminars, workshops, development and production of environmental education materials and related livelihood programs.
The law also declare November as Environmental Awareness Month. — Alexis Douglas B. Romero
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