Seth Anandram Jaipuria School Now a Member of Global Schools Program
It is a matter of great significance and responsibility that our school, Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Lucknow, is now a signatory of the ‘School Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals’ and, therefore, a member of the Global Schools Program. As a part of this Program, the school has pledged to support and promote the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to provide educational opportunities for the students to engage in the same.
In this regard, a Zoom meeting was organized on 3rd June 2021 with the entire staff to discuss ways in which the initiative could be integrated into the school curriculum at a deeper level. The meeting began with a brief discussion on how the teachers and the school have already been incorporating the SDGs via the morning assemblies, various activities and in the respective classes. This was followed by laying stress on the significance of carrying this initiative further. A brief TEDtalk by Linda Midgley was shared with the staff highlighting the presence of SDGs everywhere around us. One need not be an activist or an expert in order to follow a sustainable lifestyle; rather, it is the little changes that we can make in our everyday routine which can bring about a great difference. The simple rule of ‘Listen, Act and Listen Again’ was shared to encourage everyone to understand the situation thoroughly before acting upon it and also to reflect upon one’s actionsto learn from them.
Further, the term ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ was emphasized upon to underline the indispensable role of education in achieving the 17 SDGs by 2030. The teachers were encouraged to go through the Global Schools Program website for a better comprehension of the Program. Along with that, interesting initiatives, for instance, the Earth School 30 Quests, were shared so that the teachers and the students undertake these to understand, celebrate and establish a connection with the natural world.
At the mention of sustainable development, the first thing to enter one’s mind is the physical environment and climate change. In the meeting, this great myth around the SDGs was busted by highlighting the socio-economic aspect of sustainability on the principles of peace, justice, economic and social equality and quality education. On these lines, the Nobel Peace Prize Lecture by MalalaYousafzai was shared with the staff to spark their imaginations and motivate them towards sustainability, equality and peace.
The meeting was concluded with a pan-school initiative of tree plantation. Moreover, the teachers were given time to reflect upon the discussions and come up with ideas to integrate SDGs in their teaching-learning activities. The teachers’ response has been highly enthusiastic as they have come up with exceedingly creative and innovative ideas to tread on the path of sustainability. The meeting was a great beginning to the journey of transforming learning environments and empowering students to consciously prioritize sustainable development through their lives.
