Guwahati, June 17: A large group of Teachers from East Garo Hills (EKH) district of Meghalaya
underwent specialised training in Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE) under a collaborative
initiative aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
The training was organised jointly by Aaranyak and the State Council of Science, Technology and
Environment (SCSTE), Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Office of the District School Education Officer
(DSEO), East Garo Hills, and with support from Wipro Earthian recently.
The event was held at the Conference Hall of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) at
Williamnagar on June 4 last.
The orientation sensitised teachers on practical approaches to integrating sustainability into classroom
teaching and fostering context-specific sustainable practices among students and local communities. The
orientation also served as a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) initiative for educators in sync
with objectives of the NEP, 2020.
Twenty-four teachers from different parts of East Garo Hills (EGH) district, attended the training.
Addressing the participants, Samuel Sangma, DSS, EGH district said that “Teachers should encourage
students to practice science suitably in daily life.” The workshop commenced with a welcome address by
Chinky M. Marak, Programme Officer of SCSTE, Meghalaya.
Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Assistant Director in Environment Education and Capacity Building Division
(EECBD) of Aaranyak, presented an overview of the organisation’s work in environmental protection,
biodiversity conservation and sustainability in Northeast India. He highlighted the Wipro Earthian initiative
and emphasised the importance of enabling students to understand and address environmental challenges
through learning, research and action.
Pathak noted that the people of Meghalaya have long embraced sustainable ways of living, but like other
parts of the world, the region has increasingly been drawn towards unsustainable patterns of growth, with
significant consequences for both people and nature.
An interactive session on Biodiversity, Water and Waste was conducted by Tikendrajit Gogoi, Project
Officer of EECBD, Aaranyak. The session provided valuable insights to teachers on mentoring students for
Wipro Earthian projects and inspired greater participation in sustainability-focused education. Teachers
exchanged ideas and explored innovative methods of incorporating sustainability concepts into their
curricula.
Certificates were awarded to all participants in recognition of their successful completion of the programme.
A total of 45 participants, including representatives of the SCSTE, officials from the DSEO & DRDA, East
Garo Hills, teachers and Aaranyak staff, attended the event.
Aaranyak expressed its sincere gratitude to Samuel Sangma, Chinky M. Marak, Programme Officer;
William Churchil M. Marak, Balnang N. Arengh, A. G Momin of SCSTE for their active cooperation in
successful organisation of the programme.
