Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 30: Dakshin Foundation, in collaboration with the Directorate of Education, DDE Science wing and support from Axis Bank Foundation, conducted three phases of teacher training workshop on Treasured Islands, a place based environmental education resource book designed specifically for middle school teachers of the islands. Place-based learning helps students connect classroom concepts with their local environment, culture, and lived experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of the unique ecosystems of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their importance.
Through these 3 phases of teacher training workshops, Dakshin Foundation has trained 58 teachers from 49 schools in South Andaman. The training was held at ANET field station at North Wandoor.
Originally published in 1996 by Kalpavriksh and ANET, Treasured Islands laid an important foundation for environmental education in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The fourth edition of the book was launched in September 2025 by Dr.Chandra Bhushan Kumar, former Chief Secretary, A&N Islands. This revised edition, developed by Dakshin Foundation and Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, with inputs from the Directorate of Education, aligns with the CBSE curriculum and presents environmental concepts in a more engaging and locally relevant manner.
The two-day workshops included a mix of indoor and outdoor sessions, focusing on the importance of place-based and contextual education, emphasising how connecting classroom learning to local ecosystems can make education more meaningful for students.
A key highlight of the first day was a guided tree walk around the ANET campus, where teachers explored biodiversity while also understanding how textbook concepts such as forest ecology, food webs, nutrient recycling etc. can be taught through the islands’ forests. Many participants shared that the walk helped them reconnect with nature and brought back memories of their own childhood.
Dedicated sessions were conducted to familiarise teachers with the structure and content of Treasured Islands. Participants explored different chapters, discussed ways to use the resource effectively, and identified overlaps with existing NCERT textbooks to support classroom integration. Teachers worked in groups, presented sample lesson plans on NCERT topics using island based examples, exchanged ideas, and reflected on how to adapt these activities to their specific school contexts.
By the end of the workshop, teachers expressed greater familiarity and confidence in using the resource. They felt motivated to incorporate island-specific examples into their teaching, making learning more relatable and meaningful for students. Participants also highlighted how Treasured Islands helps address gaps in the existing curriculum by offering a rich collection of locally grounded examples and activities.
The resource is expected to be widely used across schools in Environmental Studies classes, Eco Clubs, and subjects such as Science and Social Science.
Through initiatives like these, Dakshin Foundation and the Directorate of Education aim to strengthen environmental learning in the islands, fostering a deeper connection between young learners and the unique ecosystems they call home.