Education (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill [HL] Debate

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Department: Department for International Trade

Education (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill [HL]

Lord Bhatia Excerpts
2nd reading
Friday 16th July 2021

(3 years, 2 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Education (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill [HL] 2021-22 Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Bhatia Portrait Lord Bhatia (Non-Afl) [V]
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My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Knight, and support him in introducing this Bill. The Bill will amend Section 78 of the 2002 Education Act to include a general provision for education on the environment and sustainable citizenship. It will require maintained and nursery schools to follow a curriculum that

“instils an ethos and ability to care for oneself, others and the natural environment, for … future generations”.

The Bill stipulates that the Secretary of State’s guidance must ensure that pupils learn about the impact of human behaviour on the natural environment and the impact of the natural environment on human beings. I ask the Minister whether sufficient financial support, resources and qualified teachers will be made available at all stages of schooling.

Lord Brougham and Vaux Portrait The Deputy Speaker (Lord Brougham and Vaux) (Con)
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The noble Baroness, Lady Massey, has withdrawn so I call the noble Lord, Lord Austin of Dudley.