Introduction of Environmental Education as a compulsory subject in schools from Class I to XII

The issues of environmental concerns relating to depleting natural sources, eradication of many natural species, increasing pollution, global warming resulting in ecological imbalances and natural calamities, health concerns arising out poor wastage management systems and other diverse issues have attracted the attention of the people worldwide. Educating the people of a nation on the above issues appears to be vital for the sustenance of the globe in all its grandeur. It is in this context, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has directed all educational agencies in the country to make environmental education as a compulsory component of the system from the current academic year. The NCERT has already brought out a curriculum for all classes from I to XII in compliance with the above directions of the Hon’ble court. The CBSE Board has therefore decided to introduce the environmental education as a compulsory subject for all classes from I to Secondary and Senior Secondary level from the current academic year. While the CBSE Board will come out with separate specific instructions shortly with regard to the syllabi, curriculum ‘tansaction and evaluation procedures, the schools are advised to take the following initiative with immediate effect while planning their curriculum for the next academic year. 1. Environmental education will be a separate compulsory subject in the curriculum. 2. It will enjoy the same status as any other subject prescribed in the school curriculum. 3. The schools shall allot a minimum of two periods per week for the study of the above subject. 4. The schools will also provide adequate opportunities for integration of the environmental concerns while tansacting different disciplines. 5. The environmental sensitivities as reflected in the prescribed curriculum may also be reflected as apart of the various co-scholastic activities carried out by the school both inside and outside the classrooms. 6. The students shall be evaluated by the schools in this subject as in any other subject and their achievements may be reflected in the school achievement record in the form of grades. 7. The schools may avail the benefit and wisdom of the local resources engaged in environmental concerns to enhance the knowledge and skill inputs of their teachers and students. The CBSE Board will shortly send a copy of the syllabus of the above subject to all the affiliated schools. They would also be made available in the CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in The CBSE Board will shortly come with an additional notification regarding introduction of the above subject in classes IX & XI from the ensuing academic year and the students will be appearing in the CBSE Board’s examination in Class X & XII in the year 2007. The cooperation and commitment of schools in effective implementation of the environmental education in schools will go a long way in bringing about an attitudinal change among the citizens on the relevant issues. It will further help in saving and cherishing the diverse gifts of nature the country has been bestowed with. The CBSE Board seeks the cooperation of schools in meaningful implementation of the above in the curricular stucture.