The Environment Council and the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau organized together from 30^th June to 10^th July, the "Environmental Training Programme for Teachers - Summer 2008" on how to promote environmental education at schools. This yearly training program aims at reinforcing teachers' knowledge and ability on promotion and environmental education by adopting better effective methods at schools.

    The training lasted 18 hours and commenced on 30^th June at 15:00 at the Environment Council, Alameda Dr. Carlos D'Assumpção no. 393 to 437, Dynasty Plaza Building, 10^th floor. The programme encompassed the state of environment in Macao, promotion and environmental education actions carried out by the Environment Council, environmental management and experiences at some schools, waste separation and recovery programme, energy conservation programme, environmental action programme for children at school, soilless cultivation, water sources and the problem of water salinity in Macao. Above all, information on how to promote environmental education at schools was disclosed to teachers. Study visits were also organized so as to get a real picture of the topics covered during theoretical training thus boosting understanding.

    This training programme was conducted by experienced instructors of the Environment Council, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Office for the Development of the Energy Sector, Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center, Institute for Tourism Studies, University of Macau, and Choi Nong Chi Tai School.

    Fifty-six teachers of 25 schools and nursery schools had enrolled this training programme. The environment Council expected to help these teachers by providing more and better knowledge about the environment so that they might better promote environmental management at schools and raise pupils' environmental awareness and thus making them join in this grand effort of protecting the environment.