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Environmental Education in Public Education Sector in India, Especially West Bengal: Policy and Practice Towards Sustainability

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Public Policies and Sustainable Development in Post-Reform India

Part of the book series: New Frontiers in Regional Science: Asian Perspectives ((NFRSASIPER,volume 71))

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Abstract

The concept of sustainable development (SD) emerged as a result of a number of global discussions on the growing concern over human intervention in the natural environment. It advocates for a harmonious balance among environmental, societal, and economic aspects within the purview of the development process. Education is instrumental in persuading citizens’ knowledge, skills, attitude, and values to instill sustainability into practice. The Government of India has integrated the principle of sustainability into its various policies and developmental programs. Comprehensive knowledge about environmental issues, which is vital in achieving SD goals, has been incorporated in the syllabi from primary to undergraduate (UG) levels across India since 2003. Unfortunately, achieving sustainability remains an unfinished agenda in India, and it demands a thorough reassessment of the whole gamut of policy initiatives. This chapter attempts to re-examine the global policy interventions in achieving SD through environmental education (EE)/environmental studies (EVS), and education for sustainable development (ESD). It also relooks the national policies on EE/ESD in India, mainly in the post-reform period. Finally, the chapter focuses on the current status of curricular and pedagogical aspects of SD through EE/EVS in public educational institutions from primary to UG level in West Bengal.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education, West Bengal State University, Barasat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Ajit Mondal

  2. Department of Education, Gazole Mahavidyalaya (Affiliated to University of Gour Banga), Malda, West Bengal, India

    Md. Nijairul Islam

Authors
  1. Ajit Mondal
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  2. Md. Nijairul Islam
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Dr. Meghnad Saha College, Itahar, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India

    Mukunda Mishra

  2. Department of Economics, Raiganj University, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India

    Subrata Saha

  3. Department of Economics and Politics, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India

    Madhabendra Sinha

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Mondal, A., Islam, M.N. (2023). Environmental Education in Public Education Sector in India, Especially West Bengal: Policy and Practice Towards Sustainability. In: Mishra, M., Saha, S., Sinha, M. (eds) Public Policies and Sustainable Development in Post-Reform India. New Frontiers in Regional Science: Asian Perspectives, vol 71. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3696-0_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3696-0_6

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-99-3695-3

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