BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN IMPLEMENTING GREEN EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN INDIAN SCHOOLS

Abstract

This study investigates the barriers to implementing green education programs in Indian schools and assesses the effectiveness of the Samvaw Academy of Green Education (SAGE) in addressing these challenges. The global educational landscape recognizes the urgent need to integrate environmental stewardship into school curricula to prepare students for future ecological challenges. In India, this imperative is anchored in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes embedding environmental consciousness and green skills throughout the educational journey from kindergarten to the 12th grade. Despite the policy's clear directives, its practical application encounters significant obstacles such as infrastructural inadequacies, curricular limitations, and a scarcity of trained educators. By analyzing the contributions of SAGE, particularly its innovative partnerships with grassroots organizations and pedagogical strategies, this study highlights effective approaches to overcome these barriers. The research aims to contribute to the broader discourse on environmental education by providing insights into facilitating green education within the NEP 2020 framework, ultimately promoting a sustainable and environmentally aware future generation in India.