Environment and Learning

摘要

The unequivocal ruling of the Supreme Court of India forthe introduction of Environmental Education as a compulsory subject in the curriculum at School level, though an inevitable step in the current context of development which is at the very cost of survival of living beings (present and future), has led to many concerns in its implementation. Environment and Learning have reciprocal relationship, and the need for Environmental Education is much more in the highly advancing civilized Countries. In the recent past the very concept of Environment has changed to include many areas in the light of which its influence on learning has to be observed. Even according to Vedas, man is part and parcel of environment and is totally dependent on it for his physical, cognitive, emotional, attractive, spiritual, religious and moral development. In the modern times the very environment of Child and learning has changed with the changes in the roles of the institutions such as family. The Child of the present generation is influenced more by the Global then local Environment. Also the role of School has become dominant as an agency to influence the Child's understanding of its Environment. It is pertinent to note that the 'environmental conservation' should not become a mere slogan, but an integral part of the life style of the children. To have a long lasting impact for sustainable development, it is also necessary to make the Child an active partaker of the community, in marinating a balance between environmental conservation and development. This can be achieved better if the attitude of care and concern of the immediate surroundings is given importance from right at home and early childhood education onwards. For this learning about environment should become a practice then a lesson in Classroom.