Book of Abstracts
11th IFOAM
Scientific Conference
11-15 August 1996
Copenhagen, Denmark

Abstract front page
Subject index
Athor index

Symposia

Intergration of organic agriculture in school syllabus S17

Githaiga, Kanyi James

Gatugi Secondary School, P.O. Box 332, Othaya, Kenya

See also:
News from:
Organic.dk

As the world shifts towards sustainable development especially so in the third world there arises a dire need to create awareness in all spheres of social strata. In this line of thought outstanding concepts on sustainable agriculture should be introduced in the school curriculum. This urgent need is necessitated by the fact that the current syllabus for agriculture in schools advocates for conventional agriculture which by all standards proves to be quite expensive and hazardous to the environment.

In Kenyan schools, for instance, conventional agriculture is taught and given the fact that this country's economy rests mainly on agriculture and that there is a societal phsychological stress caused by unemployment, it is important to integrate organic agriculture in the syllabus. If this is done there will be a far reaching multiplier effect on communities. Moreover, it will provide students with a mastery of basic thinking skills required in management of organic gardens and small scale farms. This will ultimately provide self employment to the youth.

Indeed, training should form a framework and communicate first hand understanding and experience of acquiring practical skills. To make this a success it is important that we address on horticultural methods, botany, soils, waste recycling, pest management to mention but a few. This paper will highlight on the present agricultural practices and look into problems pertaining to the present teaching of agriculture in schools. It will also suggest possible ways through which these hurdles could be overcome.