Sustainable Development and Teacher Training
Jair Ruiz Flores is a teacher at the 'Normal School OFL', in Mexico.
Many issues arise throughout the world as a result of different
climate conditions. The excessive heat, the lack of w ter, the
overflow of waste materials and the weak local economy of
the inhabitants of Chiautla de Tapia, Puebla, Mexico. Professor
Luis Casarrubias Ibarra urges that, “actions that lead to a
guarantee of care for the environment,” are taken.
The Normal School is located in the south of the state of Puebla,
Mexico. The climate is dry and warm which makes staying inside
the classrooms unpleasant. Teachers and students therefore,
have participated in management projects and secured
an air conditioning system in all classrooms. This system
led to excessive consumption of electricity and a huge and
unsustainable expenditure for the institution. Currently, through
the management of projects with state and federal educational
authorities, resources have been obtained to acquire solar
cells, which replace the consumption of electric energy with
solar energy and have reduced spending by 95%. Likewise, a
rainwater collection system has been generated. Rainfall is now
stored in tanks that supply the needs of the institution, such as
water services to toilets, plant maintenance and cleaning.
The use of paper for different academic and administrative
activities has been minimized and it was decided to digitalise
existing paper records.
Disposable plates, spoons, glasses, straws, bags etc have been
replaced with reusable materials for food consumption in the
school.
All of the initiatives outlined are intended to generate
reflection on the part of the students (trainee teachers) to
care for the environment and to maximise social welfare.
Garbage collection, campaigns and recycling deposits
are being realised as a result of courses in the primary
education degree curriculum. This includes the projects
offered by the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE),
and in particular the initiatives of teachers in training.
As trainee teachers attending Normal School, come from
different areas, consciousness of the need to promote
sustainability is spreading and consequently so too is its
development.
Our Normal School is the first in Mexico that has the solar
cell system and is committed to taking care of the economy
and the environment. We know that much more needs
to be done. Lack of understanding, alongside the supply
of necessary resources, needs to be addressed to ensure
sustainable development impacts meaningfully on all
our lives.
The teachers in training throughout the country are the
army that can take programmes and projects of sustainable
development to the farthest corners. The joy, initiative and
enthusiasm of today’s young teachers working together means
that in the not too distant future they will undoubtedly stand
alongside future generations, coordinating campaigns that will
help to care for and sustain our planet.
From Engage issue 20.
JAIR RUIZ FLORES • November 3, 2021
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide. https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.
2025 During the annual fomasyon for Alfa monitors, Antoliyis Pye gave an extensive presentation on how best to introduce and develop basic math concepts in literacy classes. The response to his insight and enthusiasm led to our decision to create our own math book for Alfa participants. In Haiti and around the world, illiterate market women and peasant farmers develop their own techniques for calculating and recording numbers. However, in providing literacy for the development of our people, we must also introduce the world of conventional numeracy. These skills lead to logical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to interpret and make informed decisions on numerical evidence. For a year we worked together to draft the contents of our Alfa Liv Kalkil, seek illustrations, create layout, and finally take our product to the local printer. Funds were provided for 350 copies, enough for each Alfa participant at each of our sites at the present level of attendance. 2026 Our next step was to fully engage each Alfa monitor in the process for introduction and use of Liv Kalkil in Alfa classes. Our two day fomasyon for 2026 was dedicated to ensuring that each member of our team was familiar with the book and comfortable in implementing the concepts with Alfa participants. The sessions were a great success. Every monitor was extremely pleased with this new tool which will allow them and their classes to work together in the world of mathematics. Liv Kalkil is now in service for every participant throughout Alfa, from Limonade itself out to sites in the hills and along the river. It is with some excitement that the monitors and participants are beginning to use our very own, home-grown, math book. In the same way that we already had Goute Sel*, Lekti Netale*, Ti Koze Sou Istwa Peyi Dayiti*, we are proud to have this math book which advances our shared work for the development of our people. We are profoundly grateful to all those who have encouraged and supported us in developing this book. We want to thank our dedicated team of monitors, the Alfa support team in Columbus, Ann Beatty and the Steve Sinnott Foundation, and the many others who contribute to our literacy programme. Chancy Jak (Alfa Co-ordinator) Antoliyis Pye (senior monitor) *Goute Sel: Taste of Salt (base text for Alfa literacy classes) *Lekti Netale (reading comprehension) *Ti Koze Sou Istwa Peyi Dayiti (stories from Haitian history; Alfa second level)
