Govt to integrate climate change in National Curriculum

PHOTO: The Acting Commissioner, climate change department in the ministry of water and environment, Chebet Maikut. PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeff Andrew Lule

Government has resolved to include climate change education in the national curriculum, as part of the strategies to address the problem.

The Acting Commissioner, Climate Change Department in the ministry of water and environment, Chebet Maikut said the ministry is already working with the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) and Ministry of Education, to come up with best material to be integrated in the curriculum for both Primary and Secondary schools.

"We want climate change learning to be taught at all levels up to university, to prepare the younger generation to deal with the changes of their local environment," he noted.

Maikut made the revelation while speaking the European Climate Diplomacy Public Dialogue at Makerere University in Kampala.

He stressed that without educating the young ones, all efforts to address the problem would be a waste.

He said majority of Ugandans depend on agriculture and farming, saying that if nothing is done, the country is likely to experience serious drought, hunger and high levels of poverty in the near future.

Maikut said with the new curriculum, children will learn about weather changes, climate, and how they can to care for their environment so as to minimize extreme weather changes that eventually lead to climate change.

The Ag. Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Prof.  Edward Kirumira said the university is already reviewing the university curriculum to integrate the climate change.

"We want to mainstream climate change in all courses and it is going to be examinable. How we manage and adapt to climate change is very key for everyone and students need to learn about them before they leave university," he explained.

The EU head of delegation, Ambassador Kristian Schmidt said the commitment to transform climate resilient, low carbon economies needs to be a commitment shared by all government departments and factored into all sectoral policy planning. He said the youth remain more vulnerable to effects of climate change.  

He said the National Planning Authority and Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development have a central role in driving the transformation.

"Sectors such as transport, energy, education, housing and urban planning, agriculture and industry need to be effectively involved. We also need backing from the private sector, knowledge institutions and local government," he added.

Schmidt said as EU encourages other countries to ratify the Paris agreement and put into action, EU committed to reduce emissions by 80-95% by 2050.  

He said EU is also committed to supporting Uganda and other countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) through various actions in the context sustainable development.

He cited the Sawlog Production Grant Scheme, where EU just doubled its support to sustainable commercial forestry from Euro 8million to 16millions (about sh60bn).