Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 14: Leading non-profit organization Quest Alliance launched a 'green curriculum' for learners of Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) and vocational courses last month. The green curriculum's purpose is to instil ‘green mindset’ among young individuals, catalysing their contribution towards a sustainable future. The core intent for Quest Alliance is to get young people to imagine and contribute to building alternate and hopeful futures, in light of climate change. Director of Youth Program at Quest Alliance, Nikita Bengani, shares her views
Quest Alliance has launched a green curriculum, what is the objective behind it?
Our primary aim is to heighten awareness about the grave consequences of climate change among young people. We want them to understand the urgency of the situation and appreciate the critical connections between human actions and global environmental issues. Beyond awareness, we work to instil a 'green mindset' in learners. We aim to cultivate a mindset where learners naturally consider the environmental impact of actions and actively seek and create solutions for local environmental challenges.
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Recognizing the rapidly changing world of work, our curriculum also introduces learners to the concept of green careers. We want to make them aware of the significance of environmentally-focused professions and provide guidance on pathways to enter these fields. Our curriculum empowers young learners with knowledge and tools to take climate action and inspires them to pursue meaningful green careers.
What does the green curriculum entail? Throw some light on it.
It's built for a blended learning experience that entails a mix of self-directed learning through Interactive digital lessons. Digital content consists of seven modules that includes topics such as evolution of agriculture and industry, sustainable practices, emerging green job opportunities, a look into the future trends, judicious resource utilization, water management and cultivating a green mindset.
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Our content adopts an engaging audio-visual narrative format. Our curriculum isn't just about knowledge acquisition; it is about empowering young individuals to be proactive problem-solvers. The curriculum encourages learners to assess local challenges and devise innovative solutions.
As part of the trainer-led sessions, the learners also undertake projects such as doing a green audit of their own institute and play a critical part in campus greening ideas and processes.
What is the format of the green curriculum and how will it be disseminated?
Access to the curriculum is made effortless through the 'QuestApp,' which is accessible on the Google Play Store or on web application through the link https://questapp.in/ .This user-friendly platform ensures that learners, educators, and parents can easily access educational materials anytime, anywhere.
Quest Alliance works actively in vocational training education both with government and private training institutions. The intent is to integrate it across all our partner institutions in a staggered manner over the next 12-18 months.
Currently this green curriculum has been launched as a pilot with 5 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and a few Vocational Training Institutes (VTIs) with the potential to reach thousands of learners. Apart from Quest Alliance's own work, the curriculum is available for any organisation to use as part of their work.
Is the green curriculum only for ITI learners? How can learners benefit from it?
The curriculum has been designed keeping in mind learners between the age group of 15-29 years enrolled in vocational training spaces. While its core focus remains on imparting valuable knowledge and skills and building green career pathways, its broader applications could extend to other learning spaces like secondary schools and higher educational spaces.
This curriculum serves as a powerful tool for sensitizing learners, particularly those related to environmental sustainability and climate change. It instils a sense of responsibility that transcends career choices, impacting learners and their personal lives well. It equips all learners with valuable insights into the green workforce, helping them make informed decisions about their future career paths, regardless of their chosen field.
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What geographies does Quest Alliance work in? How many people have you touched till now?
We presently operate in 18 states and union territories, leveraging strategic partnerships with various state education and skilling departments, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), as well as civil society organizations. This collaborative approach has enabled us to extend our reach nationwide, and we aim to further enhance our influence in these regions. Since 2014, our programs and initiatives have positively impacted 2.15 million learners across the country.
TAGS: Green Education,Sustainable Future,Quest Alliance,Vocational Training,Climate Action
