179 Teachers Undergo Training in Sustainable Development and Environmental Education

A nationwide workshop for 179 primary school teachers began this week and will run into mid-next week in Belmopan.  The workshop is geared at equipping the participants with knowledge and tools to educate students about sustainable development and environmental stewardship. The program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Department of the Environment (DOE) and UNICEF. The training is drawing upon three key national publications: the updated “Wealth Untold” educational textbook, the National Strategy and Action Plan for reporting to Chemical-Related MEAs, and the Child Environmental Health Study. The “Wealth Untold” textbook, in particular, is highlighted as an exceptional resource for teachers and students, containing updated information on Belize’s environment and natural resources, complete with activities and quizzes.  A significant part of the workshop is dedicated to the role of Belize’s main economic sectors, particularly agriculture, which employs 16.8% of the workforce and contributes 14% to the GDP. Teachers are learning about both commercial and subsistence farming, its economic value, and its environmental impact. The training emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices such as composting, water conservation, and protecting biodiversity.  Love News understands that the teachers who successfully complete the workshop will be awarded Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours through the Teacher Learning Institute (TLI).