Chief Guest at the 5th Science Teachers Congress of Delhi State Science Teachers’ Forum

Dr. (Mrs.) Malti Goel, Emeritus Scientist, Government of India and President, Climate Change Research Institute was invited as Chief Guest to the SCIENCE TEACHERS’ CONGRESS-2018, organized by Delhi State Science Teachers’ Forum (DSSTF) held at Vivekanand School, Anand Vihar, Delhi held on October 29, 2018. The theme of the congress was ‘Science and Technology Literacy for National Development’. In her address Dr Malti Goel while thanking the DSSTF, said that one of the main finding of ‘Rethinking Schooling’, a study by UNESCO is that current pattern of education is aimed at development, which is essentially economic development. This pattern of ‘economic’ development has given rise to all round environmental stress. The goal of education has to change to be ‘sustainable’, for the national development.

Explaining the impacts of Climate Change, she said ‘climate hotspots’ are areas where strong physical and ecological effects of climate change occur and are felt by a large number of populations. Rapidity of changes taking place in our environment and increasing vulnerability to impending climate risks are demanding that climate change education should be integrated in the courses at all levels. We need to prepare the next generation to change their learning so as to target not only economic development, but also sustainable development. It would require changing policies, text books, courses and heightens the role of teachers to relate to their environment and teach them through observations. We would perhaps need ‘Green Teachers’ for such courses.

President DSSTF, Shri Virendra Shrivastava delivered the Welcome Address. Deputy Director of Education, Ms. Yasmin presided over. Keynote Lecture was delivered by Dr. Man Singh, Indian Agriculture Research Institute. The Magazine ‘Darpan-2018’ brought out by Delhi State Science Teachers Forum was released on the occasion. Sh. P.N. Varshney, Executive Chairman of the Forum earlier impressed upon the theme suggesting that in a wider perspective Science and Technology Literacy Society promotes ability to read, learn, understand and write about science and technology (S & T). Appreciation of S & T based concepts and developing curiosity about everyday experiences is important. The DSSTF has over 5000 members.