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Environmental Education in Toledo Village Schools

PACT Foundation Granted a project to Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) entitled “Reducing Deforestation and enhancing biodiversity protection in the Sarstoon Temash Region.” The objective of this project is to promote environmental conservation through education in buffer communities surrounding the Sarstoon Temash National Park.

In February 2012, PACT attended a session SATIIM held as part of this project to train teachers of the upper division primary school students in five village schools on different topics under the Integrated Science curriculum. The topics were broken into lesson plans and included: ecosystems of Belize (main focus on mangrove ecosystems), living and non-living things (habitat, niche), food chains and webs, natural resources and their threats, and protected areas. The topics were discussed from sustainable and conservation standpoints and highlighted the importance of nature in Belize. SATIIM also shared sample tests, and interactive and creative activities to engage students in the classroom. These topics will also aid teachers in preparing students for Primary School Examinations (PSE).

In previous years, SATIIM had rangers conduct training sessions in the classrooms. However, in reviewing strengths and weaknesses of projects, they have found they could accomplish more and be more successful by training teachers on the different topics. Teachers have established relationships with their students and know the best methods to get information through to them. SATIIM will still maintain ranger presence in classrooms and upon requests from teachers on certain topics; rangers would conduct in-class sessions with students.


Last month, PACT along with SATIIM, sat in the classrooms of a teacher who had attended the training to see how the teacher has incorporated what he learned. He added his own teaching style and we watched as students excitedly grasped the information being taught to them. This teaching session alone indicated the success of the new training method adopted by SATIIM.

This project helps SATIIM to accomplish their mission by helping communities to understand the importance of conserving the Sarstoon Temash National Park, other protected areas and the environment, not only for the ecosystems and species but also as economic and cultural values.

To view photos of this project click here.