DINA JONI (DUBAI)

The Ministry of Education has started implementing sustainability-related curricula in public schools in the country, launching a new curriculum, “The Big Green Lesson”, a transformative initiative that enables students to drive positive change towards a better world.

The Emirates School Education Foundation (EFSE) has been keen to support the national green education strategy and called on all school administrations to cooperate in implementing “The Big Green Lesson” for all ages, directing teachers to start implementing the curriculum inside classrooms.

As part of the launch of the sustainability resource pack, the Ministry of Education, along with local and international partners, has worked to provide students with basic knowledge and empower them to become active participants in driving positive environmental change.

The Ministry explained that “The Big Green Lesson” includes a set of six guided lessons designed to teach students about the Sustainable Development Goals and the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will be held in the UAE from November 30 to December 12. These lessons encourage students to share their views on sustainability and motivate them to take necessary actions to create a more sustainable and equitable world.

Four Levels

The lessons are divided into four levels: primary education for the lower primary stage, upper primary stage, preparatory stage, and secondary stage. The lessons will be presented during the first semester within any of the school subjects or in any other session or any student activity. According to the Ministry, this important initiative is a significant starting point aimed at creating a lasting legacy of environmental education and positive change.

National Indicator

The EFSE has issued a circular to teachers and schools urging them to register via a special electronic link to ensure the assessment of the impact of implementing the lesson on all schools according to each educational stage, to achieve the required national indicator for public schools.

The green education strategy previously announced by the Ministry includes forming partnerships aimed at enhancing the role of education in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and incorporating the climate agenda into the country’s educational system.

The Ministry also announced cooperation agreements with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to organise programmes and initiatives that spread climate awareness among youth, adolescents, and children in the periods leading to, during, and after the COP28 conference, which is set to feature the first educational pavilion in the history of the Conference of Parties.