– The role of education in the climate change fight
THERE is no denying that education is a top priority in addressing the consequences of global climate change and ensuring that the disregard for the health of the Earth is stopped. Guyana and the world over is only beginning to feel the repercussions of human interference of global climate systems.
And Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Mohandatt Goolsarran, posits that a future of sustainability depends on the public education inroads made today.

Goolsarran, in an invited comment, said a conscious approach is being taken to address climate change and NCERD, in partnerships with several agencies, is advancing different programmes to facilitate change.
NCERD is responsible for curriculum development in the education sector and in reaching one or two children in a household, the Centre’s programmes are extended to entire families.
“We are making inroads in impacting the psyche of the general public. They see impacts of climate change and understand the importance to assist in whatever small way, because putting together several small steps will make a difference,” he said.
The NCERD Director noted that, in light of the measures taken, the general public is properly oriented and a platform for development is created to support Guyana’s take-off in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“We are making a significant impact,” Goolsarran said.
National Science Coordinator, Mrs. Petal Jetoo, in an invited comment, noted that much is being done at NCERD to incorporate the concept of climate change in the school curriculum.
She noted that recently, science workshops conducted in the regions focused on practical activities that can be done to demonstrate the effects of climate change.
According to her, public awareness and education are key drivers in the successful implementation of policies, hence the focus on climate change, biodiversity, and the low carbon initiative.

REVISED CURRICULA
Jetoo said the Ministry of Education, in its efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of the delivery of science education, is in the process of reviewing its science curricula for the primary and secondary levels to include interactive lessons in areas that focus on awareness of climate change.
She maintained that, in so doing, the Education Ministry recognises the value of partnerships and is currently collaborating with several entities.
The National Science Coordination pointed out that NCERD’s partners include:
* The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
* The Office of the Climate Change
* Conservation International
* The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Guyana (UG)
* The Agriculture Ministry’s Mangrove Action Committee (MAC) and
* The Caribbean Academy of Sciences.
“Education needs to be everyone’s business,” she said.

INTERVENTIONS
Jetoo noted that the partnership set up with UNESCO has supported the development of a National Policy for Science and Technology and a Master Plan for Socio-economic and Environmental Advancement of Guyana.”
Jetoo added that proposals were drafted in collaboration with the Office of the Climate Change for technical assistance in the development of a teachers’ module, an interactive DVD on Climate Change, lesson plans, an interactive booklet for student and practical activities booklet – all in an effort to integrate Climate Change into the Science and Social Studies curricula.
Also, she noted that to ensure that students and teachers develop an appreciation for environmental protection through biodiversity management and its role in addressing climate change, a television series is being developed in collaboration with Conservation International Guyana.
The series targets Grades 9-12 students, and in addition, provides information to the general public on key topic areas such as ‘how our planet works, what we need to do to protect our environment, and a developing countries perspectives on climate change’
As part of the partnership with U.G., Jetoo said an interactive booklet, ‘Let’s Learn about Climate Change’, targeting secondary school students, was written by Dr. Paulette Bynoe (PhD) and Ms. Denise Simmons (MSc) of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and distributed to secondary schools during the last academic year.
The National Science Coordinator noted that with assistance from UNICEF, the book will be upgraded and additional copies printed.
Jetoo is part of the MAC, which has the overall responsibility in managing the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP), and through NCERD, several school tours were organized.
With the support of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences, Jetoo said Education Ministry representatives were able to participate in the Academy’s third Teachers’ Workshop, held under the theme ‘Climate Change – “Implications for Caribbean Health, Agriculture, Ecology, Industries and Building Codes’.
The National Science Coordinator maintains that the sector has done much in advancing climate change education as part of the climate change fight, and acknowledges that there is more to be done.
Jetoo contends that creating an increased awareness and enhancing knowledge of climate change as a global environmental threat is an important aspect in the education of tomorrow’s leaders.