‘Include waste segregation in DepEd curriculum’

MANILA, Philippines — Groups have pushed for the inclusion of waste segregation and use of environment-friendly products to be part of the curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Three schools in Manila, Parañaque and Pasay City are the pilot areas in the teaching on the importance of preserving the environment, according to Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) director Francis Macatulad.

“We started with three schools, but we will expand to reach most of these LGUs (local government units) in all the public schools. We are now expanding it to the other public elementary and high schools,” Macatulad said.

He added that a memorandum of agreement (MOA) has been signed with Manila, Parañaque and Pasay LGUs to incorporate the conservation of natural resources and proper waste disposal in the curriculum.

“The modules are designed to simplify the concept of circularity for schoolchildren and highlight the importance of preserving the environment. The learning materials emphasize simple acts such as properly segregating waste and choosing environment-friendly products go a long way toward sustainability,” Macatulad said.

He added that under the MOA, ASSIST would provide training and teaching materials to the teachers in the three schools.

“We want the sustainability of the project where we provide training to teachers and they can continue teaching the next batch of students until the end of the year and most importantly, we also monitor the cascading of the (learnings from) teachers to students. We want to reach as many as possible. We actually have partnerships with various schools around Manila Bay. We will work with the DepEd and representatives of the LGUs,” Macatulad said.

Meanwhile, Circular Explorer project manager Christine Bellen said her group targets at least 10 schools this year to be covered by the project.

“We will provide that resources and the teachers can work within their pace how they will roll it out,” she added.

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) is working with the groups in an effort to rehabilitate Manila Bay.

Circular Explorer, a solar-powered operated vessel, had collected at least 40,000 kilos of marine litter as of the end of last month, about 40 percent of which is plastic, as part of joint rehabilitation efforts by the government and the private sector, according to Bellen.

She noted that UPMSI scientists gather information about marine pollution in Manila Bay using oceanographic sensors and a microplastic collector.

She added that Circular Explorer serves not only as a trash boat, but also as a research vessel.

“Every Monday and Wednesday are dedicated for our scientists,” Bellen said. — Neil Jayson Servallos