August 8, 2003
By Lucky Sindane and Tshepiso Mogotsi
THE first package in a series of educational books - called Environment Matters - aimed at helping Gauteng's primary school teachers and learners explore environmental issues was launched this week at the Johannesburg Zoo.
These books - the first theme is animals - will "make learners explore new ideas and take action". This theme covers the relationships between people and animals.
Environment Matters is a joint venture between the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs, the Gauteng Department of Education and the Gauteng Institute for Education Development.
Speaking at the launch of Environment Matters - Animals, director of the Gauteng Institute for Education Development Haroon Mahomed said learners would find it easy to understand environmental matters. "This new module has a strong link to the new curriculum (OBE)," he said. "It will make learners explore new ideas and take action."
"This project is very important," said Agriculture MEC Mary Metcalfe. "The new curriculum plays a major role in making sure that there is an understanding of cultural and economic forces."
The chosen themes will deepen "an appreciation of the natural world as an integrated system consisting of many parts of which humans are but one", Metcalfe added
The three departments involved in the project saw a vital need to educate Gauteng learners about environmental matters, from the foundation phase (Grades R-3), through to the intermediate (Grades 4-6) and senior phases (Grades 7-9).
Relevant day-to-day experiences of the learners have been incorporated into the activities, which make the activities meaningful and draw on the prior knowledge of learners.
The package includes materials for learners, teachers' guides, and worksheets and visual aids. Six themes will be covered in the series: Animals, Food, Air, Water, Habitat and Land.
The guides will assist teachers in helping learners tackle the new curriculum on environmental matters. The guides will also help teachers who had not been trained in environmental matters.
Learners' books will also provide opportunities for the children to develop a range of skills in communication, critical thinking and creativity. The publication of future modules will coincide with the rollout of the Revised National Curriculum Statement.
The Revised National Curriculum aims to create learners who are confident, independent, literate, numerate, multi-skilled and compassionate, with a respect for the environment and the ability to participate in society as critical and active citizens.
For more information or to review copies contact Ranjini Pillay at the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs on (011) 355 1365.
