DECS launches environmental education textbook

SUAL, Pangasinan – An environmental education textbook completed through the joint efforts of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Lingayen Gulf Coastal Area Management Commission (LGCAMC), and Plan International concerning preservation, protection and conservation of the Lingayen Gulf was launched last July 30 at the Sual National High School here.

Dr. Henry Fernandez, LGCAMC executive director, said the textbook was conceptualized for students to further increase their environment awareness and to inculcate in their minds at an early age the proper values of how to love and take care of their environment.

Curriculum writers from different school in Region I were tapped by LGCAMC while the textbook’s reproduction was undertaken through the financial assistance of Plan International, a non-government organization partner of the commission.

A teachers' manual was also developed to fully equip the teachers in the implementation of the environmental education textbook being used by the students. This will be pilot-tested in six high schools along Lingayen Gulf, namely: Sual National High School in Sual town, Bolinao School of Fisheries in Bolinao town, Bonuan Boquig National High School in Dagupan City, San Fabian National High School in San Fabian town, San Manuel Norte High School in Agoo, La Union and one private school, St. Albert the Great in Dagupan City.

Plan International representative Dick Kitman said their office has been an environment advocate for around four years now in the region and has been a partner of the Commission in its information campaign. He said they are willing to help teachers organize a Youth Conservation Core in their schools to help students become environment literate and environment-conscious which will eventually form part of their life’s value system. – Eva de Leon