Integration of Environmental Education into the National Education System of Nepal

Abstract

The process of integrating environmental education (EE) into the school level curriculum in Nepal began two decades ago with the implementation of the National Conservation Strategy. This chapter gives an account of the development of environmental education and the contributions of the major players in making it possible to integrate EE into the national education system. The Government of Nepal, primarily through the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Education, has been supportive of mainstreaming EE in formal and non-formal education programmes. By providing technical assistance in this endeavour, IUCN – The World Conservation Union played a pivotal role in assisting the Curriculum Development Centre of the Ministry of Education to prepare school level curriculum and textbooks. National level NGOs like the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists and Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness played a significant role in raising awareness about the importance of EE among children, parents, journalists and the common people. District level NGOs, CBOs (Community Based Organizations) and prominent personalities participated in dialogues on agenda for sustainable development in various geographical regions of the country. All these contributions have been reflected in the Government’s School Sector Reform Plan, 2009–2015. Efforts are being made to reorient EE to education for sustainable development (ESD).