Environmental Education & Awareness in Sabah

Susan Pudin Environment Protection Department Sabah PUSAT Symposium, 15 August 2008

Contents

Introduction Environmental Education (EE) in Malaysia EE in Sabah

Sabah Environmental Education Network (SEEN) General Evaluation on EE

Challenges The Way Forward

Introduction
What is Environment? The Environment is Everything that isnt Me Definition in the Environment Protection Enactment 2002: environment includes (a) the external physical surroundings and conditions influencing development and growth of people, animals or plants and includes social, living or working conditions; (b) all natural and physical resources; (c) ecosystems and their constituent parts including people and communities; and (d) amenity, aesthetic and cultural values.

Introduction
What is Environmental Education (EE)? a process aimed at developing a world population that is aware of and concerned about the total environment and its associated problems, and which has knowledge, attitudes, motivations, commitments and skills to work individually and collectively towards solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones (Tbilisi Convention, 1977)

Introduction

The efforts to safeguard the environment went through more than four decades of challenges At present, there are still various pressing issues that require urgent attention in managing our environment despite efforts made on many fronts EE increasingly promoted as a tool in environmental management

Environmental Education (EE) in Malaysia

Importance of EE highlighted in the National Policy on the Environment 2002 Green Strategies on Education & Awareness EE addresses environmental challenges (air pollution, water pollution, global warming, littering, etc)

EE - formal and non-formal

Environmental Education (EE) in Malaysia

Formal Education
Alam dan Manusia (Man and Environment) was once incorporated in the Malaysian primary school curriculum which began in 1982 EE Across the Curriculum introduced in 1996 EE is not taught as a single subject but infused in each subject in schools

Environmental Education (EE) in Malaysia

Formal Education
In the pre-service teacher education programmes such as The Malaysian Teaching Diploma (DPM) and the Post Graduate Diploma in teaching (KPLI) courses, environmental education is a compulsory subject At the tertiary level, environmental science and environment-related courses are offered at degree level by many public universities

Environmental Education (EE) in Malaysia

Non-Formal Education
Various government organisations and NGOs are involved in implementing EE programmes/activities in all states

EE in Sabah

Formal EE Across the Curriculum Implementation of non-formal EE by various organisations such as

the Sabah Environment Protection Department, Department of Environment Malaysia, Sabah Forestry Department, Science and Technology Unit, Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre, Sabah Education Department and other environmentrelated organisations.

Focus by implementers:
Organisational roles & responsibilities Focused areas

Have you seen SEEN?

Launched on 17 March 2005 The aim of SEEN is to enhance environmental communication, education and awareness efforts in Sabah through networking, cooperation and co-ordination among all relevant organisations. 28 members EPD SEEN Secretariat

SEEN members

Jabatan Perlindungan Alam Sekitar (Urus Setia SEEN) Jabatan Alam Sekitar Persekutuan Jabatan Perhutanan Sabah Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran Jabatan Pelajaran Sabah Jabatan Hidupan Liar Unit Sains dan Teknologi Taman-Taman Sabah Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu Jabatan Perikanan Sabah Kementerian Kerajaan Tempatan dan Perumahan Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar

SEEN members

Kementerian Belia dan Sukan Jawatankuasa Tindakan Alam Sekitar Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre) Yayasan Sabah (Kelab Pencinta Alam Sabah) Sabah Environmental Protection Association Malaysian Nature Society Sabah Branch WWF Malaysia (Borneo Programme) Institut Perguruan Keningau, Tuaran, Gaya dan Tawau Partners for Community Organisation (PACOS) HUTAN Kinabatangan Orang utan Conservation Project OISCA International Sabah Society Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Activities by SEEN members

Various Activities:
SERASI, Radio Talks, gotong-royong, composting, talks, exhibitions, colouring & drawing competition, environmental camps, etc

EE Trainings for members representatives Teachers Trainings (e.g. EE Race) Conference (November 2008)

Activities by SEEN members

Some environment-related celebrations commemorated by members: World Wetlands Day Earth Day World Environment Day World Forestry Day Malaysian Environment Week

Tree/Flower Planting

Composting

Environmental camp

Talks & Exhibitions

Environmental Games

Colouring contest

Radio talk/quiz

GotongRoyong

Paper Making

Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar (SERASI)

General evaluation of overall EE programmes: EPD

Responses of EE programmes from target groups are encouraging Co-operation among government agencies, private sectors & NGOs enhanced Increased number of schools/higher institutions/NGOs applying for environmental grants Increased public awareness on environmental protection and roles of EPD

General evaluation of overall EE programmes: DOE

Through the implementation of environmental camps, students knowledge on environmental and pollution issues in Malaysia has increased. Invitation to conduct environmental talks has increased by 100% in 2006 compared to 2003. Increased number of grant applications received from schools to implement EE activities.

General evaluation of overall EE programmes: Rainforest Discovery Centre, SFD

Post-course initiatives by teachers such as greening the school, recycling programmes, etc are considered as indicators that the teachers courses have achieved the intended objectives to some extent During courses for teachers, RDC identifies resource teachers who are potential facilitators for future programmes. This is one of the ways to keep the teachers enthusiasm going after the course Some students who have visited RDC have indicated that their visits have helped them decide which course to take up at the university

Challenges
to win broader support for EE changing peoples attitude generating action for environment limited funding duplication of activities lack of skills lack of co-ordination evaluation & monitoring

The Way Forward

The way forward for EE in Sabah - to steer EE in a more co-ordinated manner at all levels of implementation SEEN provides an avenue to find better solutions to challenges EE and Enforcement to complement each other With the spirit of co-operation and full commitment, SEEN will be able to fruitfully achieve its aim and ultimately, to provide the protection the Environment truly deserves.

Together For a Better Environment!