PASIG CITY – The Ministry of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Young Leaders Initiative of Southeast Asia (YSEALI), alumni exchange is undertaking to strengthen climate change education through the conduct of Climate Changemakers.

Climate Changemakers is the first climate change training course recognized by the National Academy of Educators of the Philippines (NEAP) as part of the Department’s professional development priorities. The program aims to increase teachers’ capacities to effectively teach climate change skills, integrate climate change into skills and engage in climate action.

” Hurry up. Climate change is an emergency. Now is the time to act,” said DepED-DRRMS Director Ronilda Co.

Some 400 teachers completed the ten-week online course which used synchronous and asynchronous modalities focused on correcting misconceptions about climate change. It also provided a space for teachers to reflect on their learning and share challenges and good practices.

The course included lectures by exchange alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s YSEALI program, representatives and former and current members of the National Technical Expert Group of the Commission on Climate Change, technical specialists and of teachers from the Ministry of Education and Climate Change. -targeted organizations such as the Oscar M. Lopez Center (OML) and Youth Strike for Climate Philippines.

Additionally, the first batch of training ran from November 2021 to March 2022, where graduates were trained to become mentors in partnership with the divisions of Apayao, Sorsogon, Iloilo City, Eastern Samar and Surigao Del Sur. of the administrative region of the Cordillera, Region V, VII, VIII and Caraga, respectively.

Additionally, the second batch was open to all K-12 teachers in public and private schools across the country, where hundreds applied and completed their synchronous and asynchronous activities.

“Following the ongoing review and revision of the K-12 curriculum, we will also be enhancing the online Climate Changemakers training course ahead of its next release in 2023 and hope to continue to train our teachers to teach climate education effectively. and ultimately answer the call to commit to climate action in the Philippines,” Dir. Co added.

Climate Changemakers is also supported by the US Embassy in the Philippines, Save the Children Philippines, YGoal Philippines, Climate Reality Project Philippines, and Climate Action for Sustainability Initiative.

An online completion ceremony for the 400 graduates was held on July 29, 2022.

For more information on Climate Changemakers, please email clima[email protected] and [email protected]. (DepEd)