The Centre for Teaching and Learning hosted a one-day programme on Incorporating Environmental Sustainability into School Curriculum on May 25, 2024
The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at IIMB hosted a one-day programme on Incorporating Environmental Sustainability into School Curriculum on May 25, 2024. In all, 51 participants attended the programme. The participants were middle school Science and Social Sciences teachers from different branches of Delhi Public School in Bangalore and Mysore, Rashtrotthana Vidya Kendra, BGS Public School, School of India, The Samhita Academy, The Prodigies International School, Purnapramati, and Ramagondanahalli Government School.
The programme was inaugurated by Prof. Sushanta Mishra, Chairperson, CTL. Prof. Mishra delivered the Welcome Address, where he introduced the participants to the different facets of IIM Bangalore. Alluding to the motto of IIM Bangalore, Tejasvi navadhitamastu, he emphasized how the institute constantly strives to bring a positive change to the society by disseminating knowledge through such relevant programmes.
Following this, Prof. Haritha Saranga, Chairperson, Sustainability Task Force, IIM Bangalore, delivered the Keynote Address, where she briefed the participants on the programme’s objectives. She highlighted some of the sustainable initiatives taken at IIM Bangalore, such as rooftop solar installations, motor-sensored water taps and lighting, waste treatment plant, and rooftop rainwater harvesting, to name a few.
Prof. Saranga led two sessions focused on mindful consumption and the role that children can play in abating climate crisis. The professor began the discussion by walking the participants through data-based research on the global impact of climate change in the past few decades. The first session dealt with highlighting the urgency of adopting sustainable practices, where the professor urged the teachers to inculcate sustainable living through the simple habits of reducing, recycling, and reusing.
The second session focused on spreading awareness on sustainability among children by adopting Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) interventions in schools. Prof. Saranga encouraged the participants to promote environment-friendly behaviours among young students and children through engaging them in sustainability-driven activities. She advocated that children have the greatest potential to change the mindset of their family members towards being sustainable and mindful.
Following the sessions, the teachers came together in small groups to discuss and work out effective ways to adopt sustainable practices in their respective schools. They shared innovative ideas such as conducting cleanliness drives to teach students how to segregate wastes, hosting competitions for students to come up with sustainable solutions, raising awareness on the use of cotton sanitary pads and menstrual cups, etc.
Prof. Rishikesh Krishnan, Director, IIMB, presided over the valediction ceremony, where he shared the closing remarks. Prof. Krishnan reiterated the need for sustainable living as the solution to combat climate crisis and ensure a secure future.
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