The Foundation for Protecting Women and Children has called for the inclusion of climate change education into the curriculum of Nigerian primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, saying this will help young children and youths in the entire African countries to understand and address the impact of global warming.
The founder of the foundation, Ramatu Tijjani, in an interview also urged the African Union (AU) to encourage African leaders to introduce climate change education in all schools so as to save the continent from all forms of threats and diseases associated with climate changes as well as for the safety of the environment.
“Our planet is warming day-by-day and its temperatures are fast heading toward levels that scientists believe will threaten humans and the natural world in future, therefore, it is important to educate young ones in school the importance of climate education and the various diseases associated with global warming,” he said, reiterating that teaching climate change in school will go a long way to create awareness and allow youth participation in the protection of their environment.
She also said it will help children to understand the various methods of adapting to climate change related trends in their local communities; stressing that education is an essential element of the global response to climate change. She further stressed the need for educators to help students learn and understand climate change both within and outside the classroom premises as well as introduce new method of teaching science subjects using local languages so as to enhance better understanding.
She also called on both the state and federal ministries of education as well as educational stakeholders in Nigeria and the African Union to pursue the introduction of climate change education into schools’ curriculum so as to educate the future leaders on the importance of protecting their environment and enable them contribute to the reduction of global warming.