Teach the Future facts for kids
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| Named after | The 2nd UKSCN Demand |
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| Formation | 12 October 2019 |
| Type | Campaign |
| Purpose | Climate education and green school estate |
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Region
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UK - active all nations |
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Parent organization
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UK Student Climate Network, Students Organising for Sustainability UK, Fridays for Future Scotland, the National Union of Students Scotland, UKSCN Wales |
| Subsidiaries | Teach the Future England Teach the Future Scotland Teach the Future Wales Teach the Future NI |
| Website | https://www.teachthefuture.uk |
Teach the Future is a group led by young people in the UK. They want schools to teach more about climate change. This campaign has different parts in Scotland, England, and Wales.
Students from all over the UK, from high school to university, are volunteers. They believe that learning about how to live in a way that protects the planet, called sustainability, and climate change should be part of every subject. This will help future generations get the skills they need for new "green jobs."
Contents
History of Teach the Future
The Teach the Future campaign started as an idea from the UK Student Climate Network. This group of young people first asked for better climate education in December 2018. Because it was such an important topic, this idea grew into its own campaign. It got help from other groups like Student Organising for Sustainability UK.
The campaign officially started on October 12, 2019. This happened at a big meeting about the climate emergency, held by the National Education Union. Many education experts and campaigners were there. Just two days later, Teach the Future started a petition. A petition is a formal request, and 7,413 people signed it to show their support.
Before the General Election in December 2019, Teach the Future worked to get better climate education ideas into political parties' plans. These plans are called manifestos. Because of their efforts, the Labour Party said they would look at the school curriculum. The Green Party of England and Wales even mentioned Teach the Future's specific plan for climate education in England.
To achieve one of their main goals, student volunteers worked with a professional who writes laws. Together, they wrote the first education bill ever written by students. A bill is a proposed law. Many Members of Parliament (MPs) supported this bill. An MP named Nadia Whittome helped the students show their bill to the government. They held a special event at the Houses of Parliament on February 26, 2020. Over 150 politicians, teachers, students, and supporters attended.
What Teach the Future Wants
Teach the Future has three main things they want the government to do. There is also a fourth goal just for Scotland.
- The government should study how schools in England and Scotland are getting students ready for the climate and nature emergency.
- Teachers in England and Scotland should be taught about the climate and nature emergency. This should be part of their training.
- A new law should be passed in England called the English Climate Emergency Education Bill. This is the first law ever written by students. Scotland should also pass a similar law. These laws would make sure:
- All schools teach the truth about the climate and nature emergency.
- Teachers learn how to teach these topics well.
- Educators get help to support students who worry about the environment, a feeling called eco-anxiety.
- Students get more chances to learn outside.
- There is money for young people to lead projects about climate and the environment.
- More training for "green jobs" is created.
- All school buildings are updated to produce no carbon pollution by 2030.
- For Scotland only: Schools should focus more on sustainability when they are inspected. This would also affect how schools are ranked.
How Teach the Future Works
Teach the Future is run by 51 volunteers from England and Scotland. They also have 5 part-time student workers and 3 staff members from another group called SOS-UK.
These volunteers use an online tool called Slack to organize their work. They often welcome new volunteers to join their team.
Different Parts of the UK
Teach the Future is a big organization that includes volunteers from all over the UK. However, it has three separate parts: one for England, one for Scotland, and one for Wales. The Welsh part is still being set up and will officially launch before the 2021 Senedd election. All three parts work closely together. They run similar projects that are important in each country. Volunteers can also help with any part of the campaign that interests them.
Global Connections
The Teach the Future campaign wants to connect with other groups around the world that are working on climate education. They have already made strong connections with some of these groups. They talk with many youth climate action groups globally. A staff member helps with this international outreach and support.
The UK campaign shares its name with Teach the Future Poland. However, they are not directly connected. Teach the Future Poland is part of a group called Strajk Klimatyczny (MSK).
Supporting Organisations
Many national groups support Teach the Future. These groups focus on things like youth voice, protecting nature, and improving education.
