Submitted by: Nidhi

B.Ed tutorial group

Submitted to: Dr. Neelima Asthana
Title: Participatory Learning and Action for Environmental Education
Author: M.A. Sudhir
Journal: Indian Educational Review, Vol. 51. No.1. January 2013
Article review
The findings are based on the empirical study. The broad objectives of the study included
designing and preparing a learning package on environmental education, to study the
environmental programmes and activities conducted in secondary schools, to examine the
environmental awareness of school students, to provide orientation to teachers on
environmental education. The author also laid stress on the Gandhian approach to
environment. In case of environmental education, the target may be the enrichment of the
living environments where it means transforming the environment in accordance with the
natures laws and not by the laws of man.
Through this article, the author has tried to emphasize on the importance of environmental
education in reorienting education towards sustainable development, by improving our
capacity to address environment and development in its environmental programmes, through
school learning. The author also accentuated that a Teacher is one of the important factors for
promoting environmental education.
The study was conducted with the students of secondary schools and with the school teachers,
so as to assess the environmental awareness among both students and teachers and how
teachers can become an important link in the delivery of environmental knowledge. It was
intended to orient the teachers about the nature, content and strategies for environmental
education.
Various tools were developed and field tested to gather the data. The author used well
appropriate Participatory learning and action approach to analyze and understand the
environmental problems and to develop intervention strategies.
The author highlighted on the issue that Environmental education needs to be regarded as
investment of the highest order, which transforms into an asset over time. It is through
education that the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary for the people to become
involved in the process of development and building their nation are acquired.
The study resolved that environmental education should:
Submitted by: Nidhi
B.Ed tutorial group
Submitted to: Dr. Neelima Asthana
Focus on current and potential environmental situations while taking into account the
historical perspectives.
Enable learners to have role in planning their learning experience and provide an
opportunity for making decisions and accepting their consequences.
Relate environmental sensitivity, knowledge, problem solving skills and clarification of
values pertaining to different ages but with special emphasis on environmental
sensitivity to the learners own community in the early years.
Regarding environmental awareness, National Policy on Education-1986 (with modifications
undertaken in 1992) highlights: There is a paramount need to create a consciousness of the
environment. It must permeate all ages and all sections of society, beginning with the child.
Environmental consciousness should inform teaching in schools and colleges. This aspect will be
integrated in the entire educational process. In addition to this, (Khoshoo T L 1986) asserts
that school system provides the largest organized base for environmental education and action.
With children in their plastic age, school offers an effective instrument for imbibing in them the
desirable environmental ethic.
In the end, the authors language and expression is simple and explicit. The article very well
concluded that opportunities should be created for students for undertaking the nature and its
diversity through activity based learning strategies. This can pave way for effective
environmental education for preserving the rich environmental heritage in India.