Педагоги бишкекских школ прошли обучение методике образования для устойчивого развития и сохранения биоразнообразия

Teachers from schools in Bishkek underwent training in the methodology of education for sustainable development and biodiversity conservation

Sixty-seven geography teachers from schools in Bishkek participated in intensive training sessions in early May to enhance their knowledge and competencies in teaching based on the guidance "Education for Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Conservation" (ESD). This manual was developed by specialists from the German Society for International Cooperation, the NGO "SAMR Alatoo," and the NGO "Lesik YUG" as part of the Kyrgyz-German project for the conservation of walnut forests and pastures. The manual includes explanations of the concept of education for sustainable development and its connection to the Millennium Development Goals, as well as sections on natural resource management and climate adaptation using Kyrgyzstan as an example. The topics of "forest," "pastures," and "climate adaptation" are presented as interactive lessons and supported by substantial visual materials such as posters, maps, cards, and photographs.

The seminars were led by instructors from the M. Rahimova Institute for Advanced Training and Staff Training at I. Arabaev Kyrgyz State University, namely Kaliman Djunushaliev, Gulnara Shamkanova, Chinara Omurkanova, and Svetlana Novikova. In 2020, they were among the first to undergo similar training and were selected as master trainers for further dissemination of the methodology among their colleagues.

During the seminars, teachers studied the content of the ESD guide, approaches to solving environmental problems, the role of ecology, economics, and society in sustainable development, methods and techniques for using the acquired knowledge in the educational process at school, as well as gained an understanding of the implementation of sustainable development ideas in Kyrgyzstan and globally. Additional sessions focused on such relevant topics as "ecological habits" and the "Zero Waste" concept. Speakers conducted a master class on public speaking and working with adult audiences and assigned their colleagues to conduct a lesson on one of the manual's topics at the seminar using coaching skills. After discussing the presentations, teachers received recommendations for implementing exercises from the manual in school lessons.

As a result of the training, participants received the "Education for Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Conservation" guide for use in their lessons. According to them, such informative and visually appealing educational material, presented in an accessible and understandable language, will serve as a useful aid and facilitate the teaching and understanding of geography in schools.