The Department of Education (DepEd) strengthens and reinforces the integration of environmental education in the elementary and high school curriculum through the introduction of several programs in accordance with one of its core values, Makakalikasan.
In a statement on Monday, DepEd said it aims to establish and maintain a mostly indigenous and endemic flowering plant garden in public schools with the revival of School Inside a Garden program, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The program aims to transform school campuses into gardens of medium-sized flowering and colorful native trees and plants.
The DepEd has also initiated the Search for Campus Heritage Trees where schools are enjoined to identify and submit heritage trees found within their school campuses for inclusion in a nationwide inventory.
“The department is correcting earlier news items that erroneously mention the planting of heritage trees. Campus Heritage Trees are defined as native and endemic Philippine tree species that are living and healthy, found within school campuses and in their immediate surroundings; have a minimum girth of 100cm; and have significant educational, social, cultural, historical, or aesthetic value,” the statement read.
DepEd added the Selected Campus Heritage Trees will be given tree markers, identifying them as such and will be provided protection against danger from damage and displacement due to construction and other related activities.
“On top of these activities, schools are encouraged to participate in the annual A Million Tree Challenge spearheaded by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) by planting trees in nearby watershed areas. The department has been supporting this program through tree-planting activities since 2017. This school year, a total of 500,000 trees have been pledged by the DepEd,” it added.
The DepEd noted that the programs are aligned with its goals dubbed as Public Schools of the Future through which the agency envisions school campuses to become centers of biodiversity and conservation and to serve as living laboratories for learners.
It also aims to inculcate in learners the importance of planting and conserving indigenous and endemic tree and plant species and their role in the ecosystem through the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization, the Supreme Pupil Government, and the Supreme Student Government.
The DepEd is also partnering with local scientists, non-government organizations, enthusiasts and advocates to properly identify the native, indigenous and endemic trees and plants that will be used in all these projects. (PNA)
