1. Contemporary Issues and Problems Affecting
Education

2. The biophysical
environment is the
combined modeling of the
physical environment and
the biological life forms
within the environment, and
includes all variables,
parameters as well as
conditions and modes inside
the Earth's biosphere.

3. The biophysical environment can be divided into
two categories: the natural environment and
the built environment. Following the industrial
revolution, the built environment has become an
increasingly significant part of the environment.

4. Economic development
without polluting
environment: economic
development maintained
within acceptable levels of
global resource depletion
and environmental pollution.
Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

5. Sustainable Development
is a pattern of growth in
which resource use aims to
meet human needs while
preserving the environment
so that these needs can be
met not only in the present,
but also for generations to
come.

6. (Sometimes taught as ELF-Environment,
Local people, Future).
Development that "meets the needs of the
present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.”
-Brundtland Commission

8. Human population growth is at the root of
virtually all of the world’s environmental
problems. Although the growth rate of the
world’s population has slowed slightly since
the 1990s, the world’s population increases
by about 77 million human beings each
year. As the number of people increases,
crowding generates pollution, destroys more
habitats, and uses up additional natural
resources.

10. The ozone layer, a thin band
in the stratosphere that
serves to shield Earth from
the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet
rays.
The ozone hole over the South Pole is apparent in
this false-color image taken by a satellite in
October 1999. Low levels of ozone are shown in
blue. Ozone is a gas that blocks harmful ultraviolet
sunlight. Industrial chemicals released into the
atmosphere have caused ozone to break down,
opening holes in the ozone layer that tend to
concentrate at the poles.

11. The consequences of
continued depletion of the
ozone layer would be
dramatic. Increased
ultraviolet radiation would
lead to a growing number of
skin cancers and cataracts
and also reduce the ability of
immune systems to respond
to infection.

12. Additionally, growth of the world’s
oceanic plankton, the base of
most marine food chains, would
decline.
Plankton contains photosynthetic
organisms that break down
carbon dioxide. If plankton
populations decline, it may lead to
increased carbon dioxide levels in
the atmosphere and thus to
global warming.

13. Plant and animal species are dying out at an
unprecedented rate from 4,000 to as many as
50,000 species per year become extinct. The
leading cause of extinction is habitat destruction.
If the world’s rain forests continue to be cut down
at the current rate, they may completely
disappear by the year 2030.

14. Acid rain forms when sulfur
dioxide and nitrous oxide
transform into sulfuric acid and
nitric acid in the atmosphere and
come back to Earth in
precipitation. Acid rain has made
numerous lakes so acidic that
they no longer support fish
populations. Acid rain is also
responsible for the decline of
many forest ecosystems
worldwide, including Germany’s
Black Forest.

15.  The Black Forest is a wooded mountain region located in southwestern
Germany. Its name derives from the large stands of fir trees that are
found on its upper slopes. Although the area is a favorite spot for
recreational activities such as hiking, air pollution has caused major
problems. It is estimated that more than half the trees in the Black
Forest have been damaged as a result of acid rain.

16. Estimates suggest that
nearly 1.5 billion people
worldwide lack safe
drinking water and that
at least 5 million deaths
per year can be
attributed to waterborne
diseases. Water pollution
may come from point
sources or nonpoint
sources.

17.  Point sources discharge
pollutants from specific
locations, such as factories,
sewage treatment plants,
and oil tankers.
 Pollution from nonpoint
sources occurs when rainfall
or snowmelt moves over
and through the ground. As
the runoff moves, it picks
up and carries away and
depositing the pollutants
into bodies of water.

20. Contemporary Issues and Problems Affecting Education

23. In accordance with the pertinent provisions of R. A. 7722, known as
“The Higher Education Act of 1994,” and in the interest of protecting
tertiary students from harm, injury and/or damage wrought by
typhoon/storms, earthquakes, floods, fires and other natural or man-
caused calamities, the following guidelines on the suspension of classes
are hereby adopted and promulgated, thus:
• A. When PAG-ASA raise Typhoon Signal #3 or above in a particular
locality within the Philippine Area of Responsibility, all classes in the
tertiary level including graduate and post-graduate, within the said
locality shall be deemed automatically suspended without the need of
declaration from the Commission and/or any of its officials until PAG-
ASA lowers the said typhoon signal;
• B. In case PAG-ASA raises Typhoon Signal#2 or #1 only in a particular
locality within our PAR, classes in the tertiary level, including graduate
and post-graduate, shall not be suspended as a matter of policy.
However, Presidents/Heads of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
within the said locality, may, at their own discretion, suspend all,
some or any of their classes in the tertiary level, including graduate
and post-graduate, until such time that the typhoon signal shall have
been lowered by PAG-ASA or until the weather improves.

32. In view of the pressing global concerns and issues
on the environment, the Department of Education
(DepEd) urges all public and private schools to lead
the role on environmental awareness by enhancing
environmental education and by pursuing effective
school-based activities that seek to preserve and
protect the environment. This is in pursuant to
Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9512, entitled "An Act to
Promote Environmental Education and for Other
Purposes."

33. Towards this end, all public and private schools
shall undertake the following activities:
• Intensifying lessons regarding environment on all
science subjects. Environmental concerns shall also
be used as tools for classroom drills, discussions
and activities and shall be taught and be
integrated in the related learning areas;

34. • Encouraging the school administrators, officials
and teachers to use various instructional materials
such as books, visual aids, teaching guides and
materials in making the students aware of the
concerns and issues on the environment which
shall promote students' participation in
environmental activities and advocacies and instill
in their minds the need to preserve and protect the
environment;

35. • Encouraging the teachers to attend lecture-
seminars, workshops, conferences and other
forums relating to environmental education which
may be considered in their application for
promotion.
and others…
BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO, FSC
Secretary

36. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy.
Consistent with the policy of the State to protect and advance
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and in
recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation building and
the role of education to foster patriotism and nationalism,
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation
and development, the state shall promote national awareness
on the role of natural resources in economic growth and the
importance of environmental conservation and ecological
balance towards sustained national development.

37. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 3. Scope of Environmental Education.
The Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and other
relevant agencies, shall integrate environmental education in its
school curricula at all levels, whether public or private,
including in barangay daycare, preschool, non-formal, technical
vocational, professional level, indigenous learning and out-of-
school youth courses or programs.

38. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 3. Scope of Environmental Education.
Environmental education shall encompass environmental
concepts and principles, environmental laws, the state of
international and local environment, local environmental best
practices, the threats of environmental degradation and its
impact on human well-being, the responsibility of the citizenry
to the environment and the value of conservation, protection
and rehabilitation of natural resources and the environment in
the context of sustainable development.

39. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 3. Scope of Environmental Education.
It shall cover both theoretical and practicum modules
comprising activities, projects, programs including, but not
limited to, tree planting; waste minimization, segregation,
recycling and composting; freshwater and marine conservation;
forest management and conservation; relevant livelihood
opportunities and economic benefits and other such programs
and undertakings to aid the implementation of the different
environmental protection law.

40. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 4. Environmental Education and Activities as Part of
National Service Training Program.
The CHED and the TESDA shall include environmental
education and awareness programs and activities in the
National Service Training Program under Republic Act No.
9163, as part of the Civic Welfare Training Service component
required for all baccalaureate degree courses and vocational
courses with a curriculum of at least two (2) years.

41. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 5. Declaration of Environmental Awareness Month.
Pursuant to the policy set forth in this Act, the month of
November of every year shall be known as the "Environmental
Awareness Month" throughout the Philippines.

42. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 6. Interagency and Multi-sectoral Effort.
The DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, DOST and other relevant
agencies, in consultation with experts on the environment and
the academe, shall lead in the implementation of public
education and awareness programs on environmental
protection and conservation through collaborative interagency
and multi-sectoral effort at all levels.

43. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 6. Interagency and Multi-sectoral Effort.
The DENR shall have the primary responsibility of periodically
informing all agencies concerned on current environmental
updates, including identifying priority environmental education
issues for national action and providing strategic advice on the
environmental education activities. The DepEd, CHED, TESDA,
DENR, DOST, DSWD and barangay units shall ensure that the
information is disseminated to the subject students.

44. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 6. Interagency and Multi-sectoral Effort.
The DOST is mandated to create programs that will ensure that
students receive science-based quality information on
environmental issues to encourage the development of
environment-friendly solutions, devices, equipment and
facilities.

45. Republic Act No. 9512
December 12, 2008
AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec. 7. Capacity-Building.
The DepEd, CHED and TESDA, in coordination with the DENR
and other relevant agencies, shall undertake capacity-building
programs nationwide such as trainings, seminars, workshops
on environmental education, development and production of
environmental education materials, and teacher-education
courses and related livelihood programs.