Deputy Minister of Education, John Ntim Fordjour says government is committed to increasing support for climate change education in schools, so students are better sensitized about its impact.

He says there is a need for Ghana’s education system to pay attention to the devastating effect of climate change so children can appreciate it at an early stage.

World leaders are gathering in Glasgow – UK for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), where they are expected to make commitments to help deal with the phenomenon.

The deputy minister is leading an education sector delegation to the conference.

“The education delegation is participating in the conference to share ideas and heighten advocacy on climate change education. And re-emphasize our commitment and pledge as a government to put in resilient policies in place and ensure various vulnerabilities in climate change are limited to a certain extent,” Mr. Ntim Fordjour told Joy News’ Seth Kwame Boateng in an interview at the COP26.

“Whenever there is an environmental emergency, education is the hardest hit. When there are floods and landslides and schools are closed, it is kids of school going age who are most affected. Especially young girls and kids living with disability. Usually, it takes about 3 months to a year for them to get back to school. So, we must be concerned about climate actions because the impact of climate change impacts directly on education,” he explained.

The Deputy Minister says the Education Ministry is prioritizing issues of climate change as a key component of educational curricula.

“As a ministry, we are very much committed to education for sustainable development. We have inculcated various aspects of climate change education in our curriculum particularly at the pre-tertiary level. So, we are ensuring that we are introducing concepts of climate change in all levels of learning. And, also giving adequate training to our teachers,” he explained.

“At the Ministry of Education, we have partnered with the EPA on a project called Sustainability Starts from School. We are heightening climate change at all levels. We believe climate change education must be science based and gender responsive…. As we are educating them to heighten the awareness on climate change, they are also part of the solution for a global action against climate change,” Rev. Ntim Fordjour added.