§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what efforts are made to encourage schools to involve their pupils in the sustainable development of the community through(a) local agenda 21 and (b) other schemes. [126312]
§ Mr. MorleyThe information is as follows:
(a) The Local Government Act 2000 placed a duty on local authorities to prepare community strategies to promote the economic, social and environmental well being of their communities and contribute to sustainable development in the UK. We believe that sustainable development can most effectively become a mainstream issue for communities if local authorities build upon their partnership working and community engagement and subsume their LA21 strategies within their community strategies. We expect them to include children and young people in this process.
(b) Education for Sustainable Development is a statutory part of Science, Geography, Design and Technology and Citizenship within the National Curriculum. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has provided on-line guidance for teachers.