Brazil launches environmental education program for teachers
Brasília - The ministries of Education and Environment have launched a program that will graduate 32,000 teachers in environmental education by the end of this year. According to minister of Environment, Marina Silva, the idea is to transmit values to children so the adults of tomorrow "will be committed to life, nature and their own existence."
Silva explained that the course content will extend to all school subjects. The human soul needs values, she said, "We have to work on values, concepts, proposals. The soul yearns for dreams, poetry and philosophy," said the minister.
Marina Silva recalled that during the National Environmental Conference last year, the main topics of discussion were focused on ways to protect resources - water, fauna and flora. During the conference, some 16,000 schools nationwide selected two representatives each to participate in the new government program, which will show teachers how to transmit knowledge of protection techniques. The effort is part of the country's Basic Education Law (LDB), the minister pointed out. "The government as a whole has to be committed to the environment. That is what this program is all about," she said.
Training will begin this week for 200 people who will network with another 1,800 nationwide. After receiving training, they will work directly with teachers and students who have enrolled in the program.
Agência Brasil
Reporter: Keite Camacho
Translator: Allen Bennett
07/27/2004
