A lack of knowledge among teachers and difficulties in implementing the new curriculum are hampering efforts to educate South African learners about global warming caused by climate change.
South Africa is expected to face severe consequences from global warming. It is predicted that droughts, floods and fires could increase, with the generation of current schoolgoers likely to bear the brunt of these changes – and play a major role in mitigating the worst consequences.
Dr Eureta Rosenberg, a consultant on environmental education, said: ”It’s important that young people understand the decisions that they are taking as they ultimately determine how future generations could be affected by global warming.”
But she said incorporating climate change into the classroom is hampered by a lack of knowledge among teachers. A large percentage of teachers do not have an environmental background as this was not a requirement when they qualified.
She said under the old curriculum teachers would use textbooks as a guide and relay information to learners, even if they were not experts. However, under the new curriculum they have to look for their own information. If they knew nothing about climate change, this makes teaching the issue difficult. Another concern is that teachers do not have time and resources to incorporate climate change into lessons.
However, Rosenberg said there is room in the curriculum to implement climate change, but it is a matter of finding the resources to do this.
Reinhard Kuhles, chief education specialist in the national education department, said climate change cuts across the curriculum under the teaching of environmental affairs.
He said climate change is often discussed and referred to in the learning areas of natural science (biology and physics), social science (history and geography) and economic and management services.
He said the links are made to show how livelihoods are being affected and could worsen because of climate change. In the Western Cape two initiatives have been launched that aim to increase the capacity of teachers to incorporate climate change into the curriculum.
Norman Davies, University of Cape Town Schools Development Unit manager and a science education specialist, said 150 educators from across the province will be introduced to materials on climate change during a three-day training programme in October.
The programme will act as a pilot project for educators to familiarise themselves with materials and provide feedback. Davies said food security, biodiversity and species extinction are some of the issues that will be discussed and incorporated into lessons.
”I would like to urge educators teaching subjects such as science, mathematics, languages, life orientation or arts and culture to incorporate climate change into their lessons by using the various materials,” said Davies.
Anton Fortuin, head of the Centre for Conservation Education, said a climate change presentation for educators took place in August. The initiative was sponsored by the City of Cape Town in partnership with Stellenbosch University’s Environmental Education programme.
Fortuin said 40 primary school educators attended the presentation. The aim was to show educators how to teach climate change in the classroom. – West Cape News