Climate change education should become fully embedded in system unions say

Climate change education should become fully embedded in the system, unions have urged.

A joint letter to Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi calls for a review of the curriculum to ensure everyone is mobilised for a “sustainable future”.

Ahead of crucial Cop26 talks in Glasgow, four unions – representing school, college and university staff – have warned that young people have the most to lose from the lack of direction on climate change.

The unions are calling for important measures to be embedded in the education system as they say there is concern the Government has yet to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Ministers should introduce a comprehensive plan to “decarbonise the entire school estate by 2030” as part of an overdue refurbishment and repair programme, they say.

The letter also calls for a “comprehensive review of the entire curriculum” and a “detailed policy” on green travel for students, staff, and parents.

It warns these measures should be announced before or during the UN climate summit or otherwise any other initiative will “be seen as window dressing for a lack of strategic urgency”.

Leaders of the National Education Union (NEU), the NASUWT teaching union, the University and College Union (UCU) and Unison have all signed the letter.

The letter also suggests that teacher training standards could be amended to include learning about the climate emergency and a new professional qualification for teachers on climate could be created to address concerns.

It adds the Education Act could be amended to impose a new duty on schools to ensure they designate a member of staff as a climate co-ordinator.

Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “The UK Government needs to step up to ensure teachers have the resources and tools to provide access to curriculum entitlements that give all children and young people the opportunity to develop their understanding of environmental issues and to be responsible citizens.

“We also need to see much more action from the Government to deliver substantial improvements to the energy efficiency of existing school buildings which have suffered from significant under-investment over decades.”

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “It is the next generation that will bear the brunt of any inaction on climate change. We all need to play a part in ensuring a sustainable future for our young people.

“Schools and colleges can play their part and the UK Government needs to ensure that quality climate change education is embedded across the curriculum, as well as focusing on decarbonising the education estate by 2031.”

Jon Richards, assistant general secretary of Unison, said: “Not only is it vital young people learn about a greener tomorrow but the Government must ensure schools are able to practise what they teach.

“Classrooms and facilities need significant investment to ensure they reach net zero targets, and transport for pupils, staff and parents has to be sustainable.”

A Government spokesperson said: “Climate change is embedded in multiple subjects in the national curriculum throughout primary and secondary school, and we launched a new Environmental Science A-level to give students the opportunity to study the subject further.

“We are also investing millions in long-term projects to build greener and more energy-efficient schools, and in initiatives to encourage more people to walk and cycle to school.”

Published: 23/10/2021 by Radio NewsHub