EDTM NOTES:
STUDY UNIT 1:
Writings on the history/histories of the environment appeared in the United
States and Europe in the 1960s and 1970s in response to ecology and animal
rights movements.
•This was concurrent with a growing sense of global environmental crises and the
green revolution impacting research internationally.
Key Events Contributing to Environmental Education
•Ancient Egypt and African church leader implementing environmental education
in the past.
•The formation of the Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa
(EEASA) in 1984, following the first international Environmental Education
conference in 1977.
Shift in Conservation Education
•Shift from focus on protecting wildlife and wildernesses to exploring the
interactions between ecological, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the
environment.
•Increasing awareness of the need to protect the environment for sustainable
livelihoods and the complex relations between development and the environment.
Historical Development of Environmental Education Practices
•Environmental education practices in South Africa began in the 1970s, mostly
outside formal schooling.
•Challenges of regionalization and poverty levels in black communities impacting
access to environmental education.
History and Services of Centre for Conservation Education
•Provides Environmental Education to primary and secondary school learners in
South Africa
•Educators can book a date and topic, and bring learners to the Centre or off-
campus sites
,Evolution of the Centre
•Originally known as the Education Museum, changed to Centre for Conservation
Education in 1995
•Shifted towards focus on bio-physical environment and conservation
•Survived political changes in 1992, remained open while other museums closed
UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
•Launched in 2005, focused on environmental protection, economic development,
and social/cultural development
•Emphasized the need for vigilance in protecting natural and cultural heritage in
developing countries like South Africa
UN Conference on Environment and Development
•Landmark conference in 1992
UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
•Principles for education for just and environmentally sustainable societies
•Promotion of an ethical approach to ecological protection and social justice
Changes in South Africa in the 1990s
•Transformation to a democracy
•New environmental and educational policies
Development of Environmental Education policies
•Safeguarding a healthy environment in the constitution
•Inclusion of Environmental Education in the 1995 White Paper on Education and
Training
•Initiatives such as the Environmental Education Policy Initiative and
Environmental Education Curriculum Initiative
Revision of Curriculum 2005
•Integration of environmental and human rights concerns across the curriculum
•Involvement of WWF-funded environmental advisor
, Implementation of National Curriculum Statement (NCS)
•Strong environmental emphasis across all learning areas and grades
•Publication of NCS for Grades 10-12 in 2003
National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP)
•Implementation under the Minister of Education, Mrs Naledi Pandor
•Strengthening the capacity of provincial education departments
WESSA’s Eco-Schools programme
•Prominent service provider initiative
•Started in 2003
Support from government agencies and local authorities
•SANBI, DWA, DEAT, SANParks, City of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Metro
provide support through resource materials, excursions, and workshops.
Teacher education programmes
•Programmes help strengthen teachers' capacity to interpret environmental
principles and outcomes of the policy.
Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development
•Emphasized the need for sustainable development and a Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development.
Alignment of Environmental Education with sustainability education
•Emphasizes environmental care, protection, and the need to transform outdated
development models.
Evolution of Environmental Education at the University of Rhodes
•Received support from big companies in 1990
•Established Environmental Education Sustainability Unit and Chair of
Environmental Education
STUDY UNIT 1:
Writings on the history/histories of the environment appeared in the United
States and Europe in the 1960s and 1970s in response to ecology and animal
rights movements.
•This was concurrent with a growing sense of global environmental crises and the
green revolution impacting research internationally.
Key Events Contributing to Environmental Education
•Ancient Egypt and African church leader implementing environmental education
in the past.
•The formation of the Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa
(EEASA) in 1984, following the first international Environmental Education
conference in 1977.
Shift in Conservation Education
•Shift from focus on protecting wildlife and wildernesses to exploring the
interactions between ecological, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the
environment.
•Increasing awareness of the need to protect the environment for sustainable
livelihoods and the complex relations between development and the environment.
Historical Development of Environmental Education Practices
•Environmental education practices in South Africa began in the 1970s, mostly
outside formal schooling.
•Challenges of regionalization and poverty levels in black communities impacting
access to environmental education.
History and Services of Centre for Conservation Education
•Provides Environmental Education to primary and secondary school learners in
South Africa
•Educators can book a date and topic, and bring learners to the Centre or off-
campus sites
,Evolution of the Centre
•Originally known as the Education Museum, changed to Centre for Conservation
Education in 1995
•Shifted towards focus on bio-physical environment and conservation
•Survived political changes in 1992, remained open while other museums closed
UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
•Launched in 2005, focused on environmental protection, economic development,
and social/cultural development
•Emphasized the need for vigilance in protecting natural and cultural heritage in
developing countries like South Africa
UN Conference on Environment and Development
•Landmark conference in 1992
UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
•Principles for education for just and environmentally sustainable societies
•Promotion of an ethical approach to ecological protection and social justice
Changes in South Africa in the 1990s
•Transformation to a democracy
•New environmental and educational policies
Development of Environmental Education policies
•Safeguarding a healthy environment in the constitution
•Inclusion of Environmental Education in the 1995 White Paper on Education and
Training
•Initiatives such as the Environmental Education Policy Initiative and
Environmental Education Curriculum Initiative
Revision of Curriculum 2005
•Integration of environmental and human rights concerns across the curriculum
•Involvement of WWF-funded environmental advisor
, Implementation of National Curriculum Statement (NCS)
•Strong environmental emphasis across all learning areas and grades
•Publication of NCS for Grades 10-12 in 2003
National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP)
•Implementation under the Minister of Education, Mrs Naledi Pandor
•Strengthening the capacity of provincial education departments
WESSA’s Eco-Schools programme
•Prominent service provider initiative
•Started in 2003
Support from government agencies and local authorities
•SANBI, DWA, DEAT, SANParks, City of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Metro
provide support through resource materials, excursions, and workshops.
Teacher education programmes
•Programmes help strengthen teachers' capacity to interpret environmental
principles and outcomes of the policy.
Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development
•Emphasized the need for sustainable development and a Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development.
Alignment of Environmental Education with sustainability education
•Emphasizes environmental care, protection, and the need to transform outdated
development models.
Evolution of Environmental Education at the University of Rhodes
•Received support from big companies in 1990
•Established Environmental Education Sustainability Unit and Chair of
Environmental Education
