Aussie Teachers are Slow Walking the Mandatory Climate Curriculum – Watts Up With That?

Essay by Eric Worrall

Even though climate change is a mandatory part of the Aussie curriculum, teachers “are reluctant to include it” due to pressure from parents.

Months after student strikes for climate action, some teachers still find the topic ‘too controversial’ to tackle

By Sacha Payne

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Education researchers say some Australian teachers still feel climate change is a “controversial” and difficult topic to teach.

The researchers urge an emphasis on practical ways to address climate change issues, to avoid triggering “eco-anxiety” in students.

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Updates to the national curriculum in 2022 put a greater emphasis on teaching climate change in schools, but Dr White says it’s limited.

“We’re seeing a little bit of an increase for the opportunity to explore climate change education through this curriculum, mostly in the areas of science and geography in Year 10,” she says.

“Unfortunately, a lot of our students across Australia don’t take science or geography in year 10. So there’s a bit of a challenge there.”

Teachers met with backlash for teaching climate change

Climate change also features in some state and territory curriculums, but Dr White says many teachers aren’t resourced, or are reluctant, to include it.

“They’re managing all sorts of family attitudes. And that plays out in a classroom in really strong ways,” she says.

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Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-07/climate-change-education-school-teachers-students/104183462

While researchers claim they’re advising teachers to take a “practical” approach, there is evidence the climate curriculum in Australia is doing immense harm to children’s mental wellbeing.