Conscientization Program
REPORT
WATER SCARCITY
As per B. Ed curriculum we have to conduct a conscientization programme during our school internship period in our practice teaching school. As defined by Ledwith (2005) "Conscientization is the process whereby people become aware of the political, socio-economic and cultural contradictions that interact in a hegamonic way to diminish their living. Conscientization is the process of becoming a critical thinker and unpacking dominant thought and oppressive thought which results from the cycle of socialization.
I took my conscientization class on 31-01-2022 Monday for 10 th standard students . I conducted this programme at Govt.HSS, Puthoor. I was allotted the third period . I selected the topic 'Water Scarcity' because water is the essential need for humans. It's also one of the most under prioritized but over abused commodity. Water is central to our lives but has not been the central point of focus in our planning while we rapidly evolve into an urban society. The students were attentive and found interested in the class. I started the class by introducing the quote by William Ashworth saying "Children of a culture born in a water rich environment , we have never really learned how important water is to us. We understand it , but we do not respect it". I showed two video clips that depict the dreadful effect of water scarcity at the beginning and ending of the class. I elicit students responses to the topic and asked them to give familiar causes , effects, and solutions for the issue. I used charts and powerpoint presentations to transact the idea to the learners. The class found effective and at last they took a pledge that they won't waste water and will save water for future.
Content
Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet water needs within a region. Water scarcity involves water stress, water shortage or deficit and water crisis. Water scarcity is mainly due to human factors than natural such as industrialization, irrigation , domestic wastage of water etc.
Causes
1- Overuse of water
2- Pollution of water
3- Conflicts over an area of land with water resources
4- Distance from water resources
5- Drought
6- Disapperance of wetlands
7- Human interference with the underground aquifers
Effects
1- Lack of access to drinking water
2- Hunger or starvation leads to death
3- Lack of education to school children
4- Waterborne diseases
5- Sanitation and hygiene issues
6- Poverty leads to mental health problems and anxiety
7- Diminishing of agricultural yields
8- Harmful effect on biodiversity
Solutions
1- People get educated to prevent the problem from becoming worse in future
2- Use technology to recycle rain water
3- Use advance technologies for water conservation
4- Use improved practices for farming
5- Improve sewage systems to prevent diseases
6- Support clean water initiatives
7- Afforestation
So, as you see, there are a lot of things that we need to consider when we are looking at water scarcity and how we can deal with it. If we start to look at this issue as a whole, and we work hard to make sure that we are able to make a difference when it comes to this widespread issue, we are going to be in a much better place to help people all over the world in preventing this issue from getting worse.
