How might we redesign Environmental Education in Schools - World Cafe

Al Qamar was one of the 5 schools invited to participate in a discussion on how to integrate environmental values in the 15 years of education for children.  The discussion was organised by OpenAct. Other schools included HLC, PSBB, Asan Memorial and KV.  Schools were represented by school heads, teachers and students. Experts from the field, educational consultants, activitists and journalists made up the rest. Abdullah Ibrahim and Hasna Jabir of Grade 5 represented Al Qamar.

Three critical questions were brainstormed - what is our dream for environmental education, what are the obstacles to these dreams and what can we do to overcome the obstacles.

A fantastic bunch of ideas were generated - from the importance of communicating the importance of environmental education to parents, getting Corporate funding, creating change in our communities, creating awareness of local flora, fauna and the threats to these.  

At the end, each of the groups presented their responses. Abdullah Ibrahim was one of the representatives for his group and spoke extremely well MashaAllah.

The children are going to take the lead in creating environmental consciousness in the school.  To start off, they're organising a World Cafe style discussion with their peers next Monday, InshaAllah.  Watch this space for more.