BirdLife announces collaborations on environmental teaching courses

The institute for Education, in collaboration with eNGO Birdlife, has launched a new course aimed at primary school teachers that will provide teachers with the skills and competencies to deliver curriculum-linked activities in an outdoor setting.

The course for the MQF Level 6 Award in Teaching Outdoor Learning through Nature, will be delivered by BirdLife Malta through fieldwork, lectures and self-study materials, the NGO said.

“[The course will include] creating engaging learning environments that support the benefits spending time in nature provides including improvements in physical health, emotional wellbeing, personal and social skills; as well as fostering a sense of environmental responsibility and sustainable values,” BirdLife said.

Joanne Grima, CEO of the Institute for Education, said that teachers should be empowered and be given the opportunity to become self-directed learners.

“The engagement of learners in an authentic experience with nature positively impacts children’s social, psychological, academic and physical health,” said Grima. “This approach to learning should permeate the curriculum and give the possibility to all learners to develop holistically.”

MOU signed with MCAST

BirdLife has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MCAST, which it said was aimed at “strengthening the two organisations’ collaborative relationship, in order to enhance student knowledge about the environment”.

BirdLife said the signing marked the organisations’ commitment to providing informative and engaging opportunities for students to connect with nature, “in turn aiming to inspire a generation of environmentally responsible individuals.

Dr Silvio De Bono, President of the MCAST Board of Governors expressed his satisfaction at the signing of the agreement.

(From left to right) Ing Vincent Maione, Stephen Cachia, Dr Silvio De Bono, Darryl Grima and Mark Sultana. (Photo by Kinga Kupska)

“I am very pleased with this new agreement with BirdLife Malta as it contributes to the holistic education of our students, which MCAST gives a lot of importance to,” said De Bono “Our ongoing partnership also includes research and apprenticeships with BirdLife Malta which we consider as a win-win situation for both sides.”