DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION


(Project CN0049)



he key to nature conservation in China is to raise awareness and encourage the people to protect the environment, says the country's National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA).

Environmental education, which started at the same time as environmental protection in 1970, is mainly promoted by NEPA and the State Education Commission (SEC). The main thrust is sustainable resource use. Activities began with public awareness campaigns and the introduction of environmental science courses at a few universities. Later, in the early 1980s, environmental education was introduced in selected kindergarten, primary, and secondary school curricula. Limited environmental education materials have been produced and training of teachers and school principals conducted. In some provinces, model environmental education schools have also been established.

In November 1992, as a follow­up to UNCED and the 14th National People's Congress, NEPA organized the "Environmental Protection, Education Comes First" conference. The conference stressed the importance of environmental education, and suggested that it be integrated into all sectors including policy planning, five­ and ten­year development plans and resource management, as well as school curricula.

In early 1993, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Switzerland approached WWF for help in furthering environmental education in China. WWF education staff subsequently visited Beijing to meet with SEC and NEPA officials. In May 1994, WWF conducted a two­week workshop for 13 key education officials and junior and secondary school teachers, which came up with action plans for teacher training, resources, and curriculum development. WWF will assist in the implementation of these plans, and provide institutional support to NEPA and SEC.




Back to the previous page

Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature