Children not taught environmental protection in Sri Lankan schools

"Teaching children about environmental stewardship is crucial for developing a generation that respects and protects nature. Lessons on the importance of recycling, reducing waste and proper garbage disposal can significantly impact how future generations interact with their environment. Practical activities, such as school recycling programmes and community clean-up projects, can reinforce these lessons, making them a natural part of everyday life. Moreover, integrating environmental education into the school curriculum can foster a sense of responsibility and community among students" states an article in Ceylon Today,5 June 2024. What can and must be done? , Thirty Eight candidates aew contesting Sri Lanka's 9th Presidential Election on the 21 September 2023 hoping to deliver a new vision for the country and its people. But only one candidate has outlined plans to improve what schools can do to bring the new generation of children up to this realisation? This same article concludes and I quote:"The core issue here is the lack of emphasis on teaching basic life skills such as garbage management and recycling within the Sri Lankan education system. While pilgrims are repeatedly educated through media about responsible waste disposal, the ingrained habit of caring for nature must start much earlier in life. It should be an integral part of the value system instilled in children from a young age".

Much time has been spent by would be Presidental contenders about the present rather than the future of our country? The future belong to our children and yet the focus has been only on academic achievement sidelining the importance of climate change and environmental education? We have yet to hear about waste management from our Presidential candidates, perhaps,that will come in the few days prior to voting? Millennials and Generation Z grew up with a lot of doom and gloom about the environment. They were taught everything there was to know about the impending crisis - but weren’t taught a lot about how to solve it? Victor Cherubim