Environmental Education Awareness in Sabah

1. Environmental Education & Awareness in Sabah Susan Pudin Environment Protection Department Sabah PUSAT Symposium, 15 August 2008

2. Contents Introduction Environmental Education (EE) in Malaysia EE in Sabah Sabah Environmental Education Network (SEEN)? General Evaluation on EE Challenges The Way Forward

3. Introduction What is Environment? “The Environment is Everything that isn’t 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.

4. 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)?

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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 environment-related organisations. Focus by implementers: Organisational roles & responsibilities Focused areas

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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)?

17. 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

27. 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

28. 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.

29. 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

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

31. 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.

32. Together For a Better Environment!