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promotion, strengthening or changing of attitudes and behaviors in a way that is
conducive to development based on the principles of environmental rehabilitation and
conservation toward sustainable development for this and future generations.

From an individual’s viewpoint, EESD, with the objective to instill environmental-
friendly attitudes and behaviors, is part of life-long learning, be it formal or informal
education. At the national level, EESD is the part of civic education to create responsible
citizens to care for the society now and in the future.

EESD Situation in Thailand

Thailand has not had a clear policy for environmental education. But there are
some significant elements that may be construed as principles, purposes and guidelines
for environmental education. These may be found in Thailand’s laws, policies, and
important plans such as the Constitution of B.E. 2550, National Environmental Quality
Promotion and Conservation Act of B.E. 2535, National Education Act of B.E. 2542, the
Tenth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2007-2011), and the National
Policy and Plan for the Promotion and Conservation of Environmental Quality (1997-2016).

The National Education Act of B.E. 2542 underscores the importance of a
learning process that promote environmental awareness and instill environmental ethics,
while the Basic Education Curricula of B.E. 2544 (effective from academic year 2003)
specify EESD contents and standards in various fields of education, particularly science,
social studies, religion and culture, health and physical education. Teachers have a
responsibility to integrate EESD in the instruction of various subjects or organize a multi-
disciplinary learning. In actual practice, most teachers and students benefit from
experimental learning based on projects and activities that schools implement in

cooperation with government agencies, non-government or private organizations. At
higher education, several institutions have established master’s degree programs on
environmental education and cooperated closely with schools and communities.

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