You are here

Title: 
Keep It Cool
Location: 
Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo
Timing: 
2019-2022
Budget: 
€1,437,620
Donor: 
Government of Flanders
Sector: 
Secondary education
Focus: 
Climate change education; professional development of teachers (INSET) and school leaders; strategic support
Challenge: 

South Africa is particularly affected by the consequences of climate change. The observed rate of warming, for instance, has been 2°C per century or even higher – more than twice the global rate of temperature increase. Addressing climate change is a matter of national concern and (political) urgency.

The role of education in addressing the challenges of climate change is increasingly recognised. It provides children and young people with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about how to adapt individual lives and ecological, social or economic systems to a changing environment.

But unfortunately, there are two key challenges standing in the way of effectively implementing climate change education in South African schools:

  • a fragmentation of climate change knowledge and education at all policy levels
  • a lack of alignment of climate change education with new science and policy directions
Goal: 

Teachers and school leaders of secondary schools make climate change education part of school and classroom practice.

Partners: 
  • GreenMatter
  • South African government, through:
    • Department of Environmental Affairs
    • Department of Basic Education
    • Department of Higher Education and Training
  • Universities involved with Fundisa for Change
Approach: 

Keep It Cool created a coherent policy environment in which the education sector is fully utilised as a strategic resource in South Africa’s transition towards a more climate resilient society.

The project was built around 4 main pillars:

  • Addressing climate change education (CCE) in education policy, guidelines and materials
  • Overcoming the fragmentation of knowledge, policy and practice of CCE between key actors
  • Implementing innovative, curriculum-aligned CCE projects, involving students and communities
  • Collecting data on teacher professional development and implemented CCE projects for dissemination

The project also included a communication strategy that promotes the exchange of knowledge and promising practices among the stakeholders involved and raises awareness and creates support for CCE and for the project beyond its immediate scope.

Achievements of the Keep It Cool project:

The project achieved its intended impact at all levels - school, community, district, and national. It influenced learners and communities, and even contributed to national meetings on integrating climate change in the curriculum.

  • Teachers were able to expand their knowledge through the acquisition of new terminology and pass on this knowledge to others. Additionally, they improved their teaching practices, particularly in facilitating the enhancement of indigenous knowledge to meet the requirements of the South African curriculum. Adequate and effective support was provided to create a conducive environment for the climate change project in schools.
     
  • The project also had a positive impact on learners, resulting in personal benefits. They gained a deeper understanding of the effects of climate change and were provided with practical experience to comprehend concepts and learn how to take care of the environment. They also developed a greater appreciation for the environment and some even began growing home-based vegetable gardens. Some learners expressed a newfound interest in pursuing careers related to climate change, while also improving their confidence and presentation skills.

To reach its goals, VVOB develops the capacity of its education partners in South Africa. VVOB uses capacity development trajectories that give partners maximal responsibility in the execution and management of their own change processes. This is done through technical assistance provided by the VVOB team in South Africa, which includes both local and international educational and change management experts.

Potential for scaling:

The implementation of a reinforced curriculum beginning in 2025 has sparked policy dialogues and nationwide consultations aimed at developing a competency framework for Education for Sustainable Development. To ensure the success of this curriculum shift, it is imperative that accompanying professional development opportunities for teachers and teaching resources, such as those developed in the KIC project, be made available.

In order for the KIC project to transition from its current implementation in three provinces to a national level approach, a shift towards blended professional development can be considered in future opportunities.