Environmental Studies (EVS) has been recommended as a core curricular area at the primary level by different policy documents since last many decades. It is taught as a separate subject from class III to V whereas at classes I and II, the environmental concerns are to be addressed through language and mathematics. Knowing the fact that, children view their world holistically and do not compartmentalise it through different subject areas, it is important to present the learning experiences that blur the boundaries between different subject areas. This not only helps reduce the curricular burden but also enables children learn better. Being an integrated curricular area at all levels up to primary stage, most often the teachers, find it difficult to create appropriate learning opportunities either due to lack of awareness and contextually relevant resource material to take children beyond classroom, school boundary and build connect with their real lives. Since teachers form an important conduit in the transaction of curriculum, it is important to build their capacity to not only understand the nuances of this subject but also create and use learner centered approaches and resources.This course aims to help the prospective and practicing teachers across all States and UTs in this endeavour. The teacher educators, resource persons or master trainers across the country can also hone their knowledge and skills and be effective in their respective roles.

The course material includes 31 modules on 14 themes as given in the syllabus below. These are supplemented with the videos. Each module requires about one hour to go through and the watching the related video will further take some 15-25 minutes (approx.). The web links included will help the learners to know more in the area and expand their knowledge, if required. The self assessment exercises provided after each module will allow the learners to provide the opportunities to introspect, reflect and proceed at their pace. In all, the course can be completed in about 40 hours.