Inclusion of climate lessons in curriculum sought

NESTLE SEMILLA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. has proposed a measure that would require the Department of Education (DepEd) to include lessons on climate change and environment protection in the K-12 curriculum.

Bordado has filed House Bill (HB) No. 6530, or the proposed Climate Change and Environmental Protection Education Act of 2022, aimed at raising the youth’s awareness on the urgency and importance of reversing the effects of climate change.

The lawmaker pointed out, “Climate change is quickly becoming a daunting issue that the world can no longer ignore. Effects of this crisis, such as extreme storm surges and droughts and heavy flooding, have been plaguing countries across the globe.”

“The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. If we fail to address this worsening crisis, the nation stands to lose millions in damaged properties and, even worse, loss of life,” he said.

According to Bordado, “In order to protect the environment for future generations, we should ensure that everyone understands the gravity of this crisis, particularly the youth.”

He said it was important to educate and prepare the youth, future stakeholders and leaders, who would soon be taking an active role in reversing the effects of climate change.

“Raising awareness during their formative years in school would better equip them for the environmental challenges ahead,” Bordado pointed out.

Under HB 6530, the Deped is mandated to include in the appropriate subjects of the curriculum of basic education lessons on climate change and environmental protection. “Such lessons shall emphasize how our school children could be of assistance in protecting our environment,” he said.

Basic education includes kindergarten, six years of elementary and two years each of junior and senior high school.