Education for Sustainability (EfS) encompasses programmes and resources of interactive, action-based learning. Our programmes are facilitated by trained teachers, and the resources we offer aim to support teachers in developing new knowledge and ways of thinking among school children to achieve a sustainable future for Canterbury.
EfS fosters involvement by all participants, from decision-making to taking action, resulting in a sense of ownership and responsibility. The issues we address in our programmes and resources are a rich source of future-focused learning opportunities. They encourage students to make connections across learning areas, and incorporate values and key competencies.
Alongside the New Zealand Curriculum, there are four key components in our programmes for schools.
Biophysical: Living things and life support systems
Social: People living together
Political: Power, Policy and Decisions
Economic: Jobs and money
Our Programmes & Resources
We assist teachers, students and community groups to learn about Canterbury’s natural resources, and how best to look after and sustai ..
Interactive Games & Movies
Here you'll find online interactive classroom resources for students about riding the bus, planning the best ways to travel, and w ..
Booking & Feedback Forms
Book an educator to visit your school online or tell us how we are going by filling out one of our online forms. ..
Curriculum and Assessment
The sustainable management of our environment is vital for our region's ecological, economic, social and cultural well-being. We need ..
Our Education Team
Our education team of experienced and enthusiastic teachers is keen to support schools in delivering learning programmes that enhance ..
Newsletters
Engaging with Canterbury's young people. Catch up with what our team is up to. ..
Sustainability is a critical issue for New Zealand environmentally, economically, politically and socially. Our national curriculum documents recognise the need to prepare young people for a future that will require them to have a range of capabilities to enable them to challenge existing lifestyles, and to safeguard and enhance the environment on which we all depend.
"Achieving sustainable development is perhaps one of the most difficult and one of the most pressing goals we face. It requires on the part of all of us commitment, action, partnerships and, sometimes, sacrifices of our traditional life patterns and personal interests".
~ Mostafa Tolba, Chairman of the Commission on Sustainable Development 1997