As climate change becomes increasingly evident, teachers call for more practical approaches to climate change education. This call was made at a recent workshop organized by EcoCare Ghana under the Climate Generation Project. The workshop brought together teachers, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials, and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to review a curriculum designed to train Climate Generation Club members in selected Senior High Schools in the Ashanti and Bono East Regions.
Mr. Isaac Agyemang, a science teacher at Asuoso Community SHS, emphasized the need for diverse and interactive teaching methods. He recommended incorporating illustrations, debates, group work, essays, and report writing to assess students’ understanding while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. ‘’Our students need more than theoretical facts,’’ Mr. Agyemang said. ‘’They need to identify climate change impacts, engage in discussions, and work on projects that challenge them to think critically and propose solutions.’’
Stakeholders also recommended addressing local environmental issues in the curriculum. Emmanuel Lignule, an EPA officer, stressed the importance of focusing on challenges such as illegal mining, community vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies. ‘’Integrating these issues into the curriculum will give students a deeper understanding of the environmental problems affecting their communities,” he noted. Mr. Livingstone, a facilitator from Techiman SHS, added, ‘’when students see how these issues impact their communities, they are more likely to take action.’’
The educators advocated for school-based projects like tree planting, waste reduction, gardening and water conservation to help students apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. However, they also highlighted the need for resources to implement these activities effectively. Mr. Alhassan Sidik from Techiman SHS called for adequate teaching resources and ongoing support from CSOs and the government to sustain climate education. He urged GES to support activities that promote environmental sustainability.
‘’Practical learning requires resources, materials, equipment, and continuous support,’’ added Madam Christina from Namong SHS. ‘’With the right tools and backing from organizations like EcoCare, the Climate Generation Club can achieve its goals.’’
Miss Evelyn Addor, Communications and Project Lead for EcoCare Ghana, appreciated the participants’ inputs and assured them that the final curriculum would be ready soon. She encouraged them to remain committed to the global call for climate action. She further urged the government stakeholders to carry the message from the teachers to make climate education more practical, forward it to the appropriate agencies, and support CSOs in their quest to ensure climate awareness nationwide. The Climate Generation Project, led by EcoCare Ghana, is being piloted in Asuoso Community, Namong, and Techiman Senior High Schools. Its mission is to empower the next generation of climate leaders with the knowledge and skills to address climate challenges.
