In today’s The Conversation, Elizabeth Rushton (UCL) and Lynda Dunlop (University of York) assess how far the DfE’s new sustainability and climate change strategy aligns with what teachers and young people want. They set out five things that teachers, teacher educators and young people would like to see in schools – and how the government’s sustainability and climate change strategy matches up. Here is part of what they say:
1. Sustainability education for all. Many teachers already provide opportunities for pupils to learn about sustainability, such as eco-clubs, recycling projects and sustainable fashion shows. However, this work is optional and tends to happen outside the curriculum, meaning that not all young people have opportunities to take part. …
2. Training for teachers. Teachers we spoke to wanted professional development opportunities so they could feel more confident teaching sustainability in the classroom. As one teacher said: “We can lack confidence because we are navigating this ourselves and do not feel like experts where we might in our subject.” …
3. Put knowledge into action. Teachers and young people do not just want to pass on knowledge – they want to be able to make a difference. We heard that teachers and students wanted education to be more about critical thinking, data literacy, doing research, taking action and communicating and networking with others. …
4. Make schools sustainable. Teachers and young people wanted greater attention to environmental sustainability in school operations, including handling of energy, waste, transport and food. There is currently little requirement for schools in England to learn about or act for environmental sustainability. …
5. Make schools community hubs for climate action. Young people and teachers saw schools as community hubs where people from across different generations could take part in sustainability focused activities. They saw starting sustainability education with young children and incorporating this throughout their lives as vital. …
They conclude:
“Teachers and young people told us that at present, there is little support for environmental sustainability in education. The government’s new strategy does little to change this status quo. We need further change to put sustainability and climate change at the heart of education. This could be done by climate change and sustainability into the core curriculum, making it part of exam specifications and school inspections and part of the core framework for teacher training – in other words, the things that teachers must prioritise.”