Strategies of NGOs in Environmental Education in India
The cultivation of natural consciousness is an important method for NGOs to carry out environmental education. Although preschool children have not yet started formal teaching, they have strong perception and learning ability. Nature-based early environmental education helps to stimulate children’s enthusiasm and curiosity for exploration. For example, the Planetary Discovery Center provides an early nature-based learning program for preschool children, adopting a teaching and learning method to organize activities in a “nature classroom” without walls. The goal of the center is to educate children to care for the earth and cultivate a sense of responsibility for local and global affairs through outdoor study. Children’s environmental sensitivity and critical thinking ability have been effectively developed in the Planetary Exploration Center by participating in activities such as nature tours, vegetable planting, scientific experiments and environmental research.
In India, non-governmental organizations and the government have excellent relations in cooperation and supervision. In the field of environmental education, in addition to the projects and activities initiated and carried out by various organizations themselves, environmental NGOs also actively support and assist the government in making decisions, and on this basis, many practical environmental protection projects have been carried out. For example, the “Ecological Club” program of the National Green Corps was founded by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of India in 2001, and then managed by the Center for Environment and Science, a non-governmental organization, targeting students. By 2014, the program has become the largest environmental network in India.
Non-governmental organizations in India are working hard to improve the online teaching ability of environmental course lecturers. They rely on the Internet to spread environmental knowledge. For example, the Center for Science and Environment has launched a university program to provide specialized training for university professors who teach environmental courses. E-learning platform enables these teachers to communicate freely, expand their understanding of environmental challenges and discuss solutions. At the same time, the online platform sends a newsletter based on the latest case studies, articles, blogs or videos to registered faculty members every month. Educators can not only know the latest current events, but also get the teaching resources for daily teaching.
Different from CSE’s university courses, environmental education certificate provides a more comprehensive course. After completing the basic class hours, educators must pass the rigorous assessment, including written examination and project report. Non-governmental organizations such as Environmental Education Center and Commonwealth Academic Organization jointly launched the Green Teacher Program. The program focuses on improving teachers’ knowledge and skills, so as to effectively spread the sustainable development concept of environment and development in the classroom.
Besides environmental education for young people and educators, environmental NGOs in India also pay attention to environmental education activities for the public. People of any occupation, rank or age can engage in environmental protection and action. Non-governmental organizations use regional characteristics to develop modern environmental education. Barefoot College was founded in 1972, dedicated to creating a global network of disadvantaged communities. Its goal is to improve poor rural life from all angles and provide special solutions for poor areas in five main areas: solar energy, women’s education, clean water, expert methods and publicity. Residents benefit from the development of knowledge and skills related to rural energy technology, women’s entrepreneurship, changes brought about by energy technology training and the campus life of participants. Sun Bridge School and Bridge Transition School are two types of schools in Barefoot College. They teach children who can’t go to school environmental sustainability.
Similarly, several other non-governmental organizations provide in-depth practice based on theoretical study through environmental courses combining theory with practice. Mumbai Natural History Society has a special conservation education center in Delhi, which is dedicated to raising the natural awareness of students, educators, government officials and business groups. In 2019, a national biodiversity leadership program was launched, including online courses, field trips around Mumbai and camp experiences in wildlife areas around India. Participants need to learn biodiversity and related environmental regulations independently in the online learning stage. This course provides participants with theoretical and practical insights on biodiversity in India. More importantly, training helps to improve the participants’ environmental awareness and sense of responsibility.
Environmental education is very important for the sustainable development of Indian NGOs. It is an example for other countries to follow. First of all, non-governmental organizations should use their business contacts to carry out practical environmental education activities for specific groups, and let the public participate in practical experiential learning instead of simply learning. At the same time, they should make use of the diversity of each country’s natural environment to develop indigenous resources and combine them with environmental education and training of indigenous people to protect the environment from the source and raise public awareness of environmental problems. However, since the operation of non-governmental organizations is voluntary and often guided by individuals, the plan needs the cooperation and participation of the government.
By Demi Zhang
