Education and sustainability

[robbie higney-paterson]

I am a programme coordinator in fashion National Diploma and am interested in the ideas about sustainability in the education environment. Each of us has a role to play in the education of sustainability to our students. The ND programme is made up mainly of age groups 16 to 18+, this is an opportunity to integrate this into our teaching from the outset, challenging students to be aware of this issue in the learning environment throughout their education and not just through lip service methods that are normally used, i.e recycled projects. In researching this I found that there are many obstacles in the way in terms of my own course. Organic calico for toiles etc cost twice as much, and we have a limited budget. The amount of paper and fabric waste, how we combat this. How we manage the creativity of our students with ethical and environmental issues. I am interested to hear from anyone especially teachers who have the same ideas and value you comments.