Environmental Education In Bohol Catholic Schools

AUTHOR(S)

DR. ASUNCION P. PABALAN, DR. LYDIA DE LOS REYES – KILLIAN, DR. JOSE L. PABALAN

ABSTRACT

—— With the pressing demand and continuous call for environmental responsiveness, the researcher is motivated to pursue this research to investigate how far the basic education of catholic schools has made their integration of Environmental Education into the curriculum. Thus, the primary aim of this undertaking is to determine the practices and problems of the catholic schools of the province of Bohol as they integrate environmental care, issues, and concerns in the curriculum or school environmental programs. Findings revealed that all groups of respondents are unanimous in claiming that catholic schools in Bohol are, to a moderate extent only, integrating environmental education; In assessing the extent of problems encountered by the school in integrating environmental education, the school principals humbly admitted that there were problems encountered in the integration of EE. However, both teachers claimed that the schools encountered no problems. Moreover, As revealed in the individual interviews, different catholic schools varied in their initiatives. The initiatives to integrate environmental education effectively are evident in their programs, projects, and activities in both curricular and co-curricular activities, which are both initiated and intended mostly for learners, teachers, and parents. Indeed, Catholic schools in the province of Bohol adhered to and heed the call to integrate environmental education into the curriculum. The fact is that under the K to 10 curriculum, the inclusion of environmental issues, concerns, policies and laws, protection, and sustainability are all outlined in the MELCS (minimum learning competencies). Notably, Catholic schools have been extraordinarily manifesting initiatives as their responses and actions to environmental care, protection, and sustainability challenges. These Catholic schools demonstrate different pedagogies and initiatives, as evident in many programs, projects, and activities promoting learners’ environmental awareness and responsiveness. However, as barriers and problems surfaced amidst efforts to integrate EE, these catholic schools can still do more to be more relevant, effective, and successful in achieving their goals of providing holistic education. Training and workshops in empowering teachers to integrate environmental themes and core ideas into their lessons are expressed present needs to EE. Keywords — Awareness, Sustainability, Environmental Protection, Pedagogies, Initiatives