I had the opportunity to take part in a panel discussion on 26th April, 2024 on the Impact of SDGs on Education. Due to paucity of time, I could not speak out on what i intended to. So here it is for all of you to mull over.
The Bio-diversity of the western Ghats will be lost by 2050.
Himalayan glaciers are melting at an alarming rate.
Bengaluru is facing sever water crisis because the interconnection of the lakes is disrupted.
We hear statements like this and often tend to brush it aside saying it is not affecting me really. About time we changed this mindset. There is no better way to bring in a change than by getting the children to see it the way we want them to.
Here is what we need to do to impact the young minds with the SDGs. It does not take an arm and a leg to do this. Let me show how it can be done through routine school activities of the school curriculum. Let us assume school has a butterfly garden and a vermicompost pit.
| Activity | SDG | Impact |
| A butterfly garden | SDG 15 – Life on land | These creatures are responsible for pollination |
| SDG 12 – Responsible consumption | Encourage cultivation of native plants. Eg. Butterflies visit Lantana and not the rose. | |
| SDG 11- Sustainable cities | It creates green spaces | |
| Vermiculture | SDG 2 – Zero hunger | Compost is organic manure |
| SDG 12 – Responsible consumption | Recycling of waste | |
| SDG 13 – Climate action | Deviating from Landfills | |
| SDG 15 – Life on land | Contributing to healthy ecosystems. |
Through some curricular activities we can meet the SDGs. For instance, Awareness can be raised on a pandemic, immunization and with such activities and we would be dealing with SDG 3 – Good Health and well-being.
SDG 4 deals with Quality Education. This can be met by inculcating critical thinking, Problem solving, Inclusive education etc., among the students. Gender equality is to be practiced which is SDG No. 5.
SDG 6 deals with clean water and sanitation – awareness about how to conserve water through street plays, role play, Art and media are easy techniques to achieve the goals.
SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions – Tolerance, respect for one another, and Socioemotional learning is to be inculcated during Life skill classes.
So you see, Its as easy as it comes. Teachers, parents and those who don’t belong to either group, time to act is now.