Data from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Enhanced Basic Education Information System (EBEIS) from school year (SY) 2009-2010 to SY 2017-2018 show that 43,810 of the almost 47,000 public schools in the country experienced natural hazards at least once in eight (8) years – where 39,738 schools had been affected by tropical cyclones; 25,191 had been inundated by floodwaters; and 5,824 had faced coastal area concerns. The impact of rising sea level and droughts in the education sector had not been accounted for. These data provide strong evidence that young people all over the country are experiencing the impacts of climate change and remains to be the one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. Moreover, intensified weather conditions such as typhoons and droughts, together with adverse environmental conditions impose a risk to young people’s physical, mental, social, and emotional development.[1]UNICEF reported that “climate change exacerbates the many threats to children’s wellbeing, survival and access to services in the Philippines, including education, water and sanitation, nutrition and health”. [2]
Currently, an upward trend of young people concerned about the effects of Climate Change can be observed as they are driven by the idea that their generation will witness the worst impacts of Climate Change. Their heightened concern is evident in the success of the school strikes for climate action that push for political and economic changes. Recently, The Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines released the Youth Declaration for Climate Justice which involves divestment from coal and fossil fuel, just transition to a sustainable society, protection of vulnerable groups such as indigenous people, environment and human rights defense, and young people, and increased implementation of environmental education.[3]
The need for intensive climate education integrated into compulsory education is underscored in the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP), the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which first met in 1995 and seeks to reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, in Madrid, 2019. Countries such as Italy and Mexico committed to updating their curriculum in response to the demands of young people for climate education.[4] More countries were expected to make a commitment for climate and environmental education on 2020 Earth Day which also marked its 50th celebration. However, the response to the pandemic was prioritized and there were no updates to this call for action. In the Philippines, youth groups such as the Youth Strike for Climate Philippines and The Climate Reality Leaders Philippines – Youth Cluster includes strengthening climate change education in their demands for the government.
Climate Change Education in the Philippines
The Philippines had long responded with the call for climate education pursuant to Republic Act No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009. The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 or the K-12 Act strengthened curriculum integration of key climate change concepts across grade. DRRM and CCA concepts are integrated from kinder to junior high school subject areas such Health, Science, Araling Panlipunan, and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao. For senior high school, a special subject in DRRM is offered as part of the General Academic Strand (GAS). In addition, climate change competencies can be found in Earth Science and Earth and Life Science. The changes in the curriculum werecomplemented by co-curricular actives like the establishment of the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (D.O. 93, s. 2011) and integration of Gulayan Sa Paaralan, Solid Waste Management and Tree Planting Under the National Greening Program (NGP) (D.O. 5, s. 2014). Also, the Department of Education (DepEd) had been supportive of the participation of learners in climate strikes through the issuances of OUA Memo 00-0920-0168, 12-1119-0504, and 12-019-0341 that raises awareness and enjoins school head to excuse the absence of learners who joined the climate strike provided parental/guardian consent is presented.
“Every time we raise our voice with regards to the climate crisis it is because you (teachers) have taught us well,” said Joshua Villalobos, Grade 12 student and one of the youth leaders behind Coal-Free Negros.[v]
The Department of Education through the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) reaffirms its commitment to intensify climate literacy and support climate action in the basic education sector. DRRMS hopes to hone learners and personnel who are climate literate and pro-active in championing resilient and sustainable schools and communities. The projects will focus on strengthening curriculum integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation using authentic and contextualized education. Aside from stressing the scientific basis of climate change, creative pedagogical strategies like games and theater arts will be used to support these concepts. Community partnership through a broader audience of IECs and involvement in academic tasks is valued to reinforce a holistic climate change education. Lastly, the efforts in curriculum integration will be supported by institutional policies and practices highlighting sustainable consumption and climate-resilient measures.
Through its Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, DepEd hopes to continue honing young people like Villalobos who are aware of climate change challenges and act for the climate.
[1] UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre. (2008, November). Climate Change and Children: A Human Security Challenge. UNICEF
[2] Ortega, J. and Klauth, C.(2017, July). Climate Landscape Analysis for Children in the Philippines. UNICEF Philippines.
[3] Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines (2020), Youth Declaration for Climate Justice.
[4] Evans, S. and Gabbatiss, J. (2019, December 15). COP25: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Madrid. Carbon Brief. Retrieved from https://www.carbonbrief.org/ [5] Villalobos, Joshua. “Role of Youth in Climate Action,” inspirational address at DepEd’s 3rd National Climate Change Conference, November 19, 2019.
PROJECTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
The projects listed are led and implemented by various DepEd offices including the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS) – Youth Formation Division (YFD), School Health Division (SHD), Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD), Public Affairs Service (PAS), and Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS).
DO 44, s. 2018 - Formation of the DepEd DRRM Team in the Central Office
DO 10, s. 2016 - Policy and Guidelines for the Comprehensive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) Program
DepEd Order No. 10 s. 2016
DO 5, s. 2014 - Implementing Guidelines on the Integration of Gulayan sa Paaralan, Solid Waste Management, and Tree Planting Under the National Greening Program
DO 93, s. 2011 - Mandated Programs, Projects, and Activities, Various Forms, and Targets Pertinent to the Youth for Environment in Schools Program
DO 33, s. 2008 - Responding to the Threats of Climate Change and Global Warming Through Massive, Intensive, and Sustained Tree-planting, Tree-growing, and Tree-caring Program
DO 72, s. 2003 - Establishment of the Youth for Environment in Schools (YES) Organization
Released Office of the Undersecretary Memos 12-1119-0504 and 12-019-0341 for 2019 Climate Strike and OUA Memo 00-0420-0059 for 2020 Digital Earth Day Strike
Encouraged personnel and learners to engage in climate action
Enjoined teachers and school heads to excuse the absence of learners who joined the climate strike provided parent/guardian’s letter is presented
Students of Zamboanga del Norte National High School (ZNNHS) Turno Campus
Social Media Card made by the Supreme Student Government Officers of Alangilan Senior High School
Students of Bautista Elementary School
Teachers of Echague South Central School
Poem written by Precious Juliene A. Macapagal, Grade 5 student of Sta. Cruz Central Elementary School
In February 2020, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) convened specialists from the Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD), Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD), and Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR) to strengthen the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Climate Change, and Peace Education in the K-12 Curriculum. The workshop produced a set of core messages highlighting the interdependencies of the three concepts. It is anchored on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
The draft climate change in education core messages are as follows:
OVERARCHING FOR ALL
Upholding and respecting the dignity of life and its interconnectedness is a foundation for peaceful relationships.
Climate change worsens the condition of fragile communities and vulnerable populations.
PEACE EDUCATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
Responsible stewardship of the earth is a shared responsibility of all towards lasting peace and development.
CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION AND DRR IN EDUCATION
Climate change intensifies natural and human-induced hazards.
CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
Climate change is caused by natural and anthropogenic activities.
Failure of the ecosystem to adapt to climate change threatens its ecosystem services and all living things that depend on it.
All human actions, whether deliberate or unintended, pose impacts on the environment which consequently affects human existence.
Natural resources are limited and finite thus, need to be consumed conscientiously.
Bayanihan (community self-help), maingat at matalinong paghuhusga (prudence), and malasakit (concern for others) are anchors for translating climate literacy to climate action.
Addressing issues on climate change through adaptation and mitigation strategies is everyone's responsibility.
Should you have suggestions or comments, please don't hesitate to e-mail us at drrmo+ccam@deped.gov.ph.
RTD with CI specialists on the enhancement of integration of DRRM, CCAM, and Peace Education in the Curriculum
Participated in the Global Citizenship Education Curriculum Mapping of the Philippine Normal University and the Department of Education led by the Bureau of Curriculum Development
Screencap of Zoom Meeting with Director Ronilda Co of DRRMS as a reactor to the presentations of the different subject areas
The following knowledge materials are being developed and will be uploaded at the DepEd Commons and LRMDS by the first semester of 2021:
The KaLikHasan! Likha at Lakas ng Kabataan para sa Kalikasan: A Creative Sourcebook on the Use of Theater for Climate Education and Action was developed following the success of the 2019 Climate Action Advocacy Show co-created and performed by 72 students from the Divisions of Malabon City, Navotas City, and Pasig City.
Acknowledging the Philippines as a center for biodiversity and adversity specially on the interconnectedness of biodiversity and climate change, the Biodiversity Toolkit will provide information on these particular topics and generate a species fact sheet at the national and regional level.
The Handbook for Teaching Climate Change shall provide information on the different aspects of the climate crisis particularly climate science, impacts of climate change, and adaptation and mitigation strategies. The discussion is driven by the most frequently asked questions by students and the most challenging questions encountered by the teachers.
The preceding are being developed with different specialists from Komunidad X, Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines (BCSP), and Climate Action for Sustainability Initiative (KASALI). It is being reviewed by DepEd BCD, BLD, and BLR. External partners like the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources Climate Change Service (DENR-CCS) and Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), and the Cultural Center of the Philippines are vetting the materials.
Conducted online with Filipino Sign Language Interpretation
Gathered 3, 513 attendees coming from 162 of 223 divisions and all 18 regions according to the evaluation form and 275, 850 total number of unique views
Produced 17 hours and 21 minutes of contents through the seven learning sessions
Engaged 45 learners in different roles such as speakers, panelists, hosts, reactors, press team writers, and online quiz show contestants
Partnered with the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Save Philippine Seas (SPS), Save the Children Philippines, and Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Interpreters
Student presenter Niño Gen Manos of Bukidnon National High School interviewed by the media on their policy proposal: Offsetting Carbon Footprint in High Schools for Mitigating Climate Change
Student presenters from Muntindilaw National High School explained their proposal on use of water hyacinths fir protective hard hats
Grade 12 student and youth leader of Coal-Free Negros Joshua Villalobos addressed the plenary for his inspiration message
Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda delivered the Keynote Address
A 6-week online environmental journalism training for campus journalists and advisers that will aim to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue stories about the environment. Conducted in partnership with the Association of Young Environmental Journalists.
Drafted Training design, synchronous guide, and asynchronous materials
40 Campus Journalists and 40 School Paper Advisers graduated from the program
CTC is an online training for adolescents that aims to:
(i) enhance the knowledge of participants on climate science and adaptation and mitigation strategies; and
(ii) hone the needed skills by adolescents to increase adaptation and mitigation in their communities.
Adolescents will have the opportunity to create project proposals related to adaptation and mitigation strategies in their communities and receive seed funding worth PhP15,000 for implementation. Projects will be implemented and monitored by teachers and school administrators.
In partnership with UNICEF and Save Philippine Seas
A "Go Bag" is an emergency-preparedness bag that you pack in advance, but hope you never need. These bags are useful in situations that require a hasty evacuation. Your emergency kit should be self-contained in one small or medium-sized bag and should contain enough nonperishable food and potable water for you and your family to last several days.
Do not forget to secure face masks, face shields, hand sanitizers, and alcohols in our Go Bags.
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
When the earth starts to shake, your actions could directly result in survival or serious injury. It is imperative you learn what to do during an earthquake if you are at home, work, school or on the road.
Students of Zamboanga del Norte National High School (ZNNHS) Turno Campus
Screencap of Zoom Meeting with Director Ronilda Co of DRRMS as a reactor to the presentations of the different subject areas
Student presenter Niño Gen Manos of Bukidnon National High School interviewed by the media on their policy proposal: Offsetting Carbon Footprint in High Schools for Mitigating Climate Change
