$13m revamp for eco-education

School students will learn about global warming, energy and pollution through a new $13 million injection into environmental education.

The money, said a pre-Budget announcement yesterday, will be used to train teachers, rewrite the curriculum and develop resources to boost learning about the environment.

The funding is part of a deal between Labour and the Greens, negotiated after last year's election.

Greens education spokeswoman Metiria Turei said it would help ensure children had the knowledge and skills to protect New Zealand's future

"We must face squarely the impacts of climate change, increasing energy demand, more expensive and less accessible oil, and polluted natural resources," she said.

A portion of the cash will be set aside to develop resources in Maori language and to appoint a national programme co-ordinator.

"Many kura (schools) I have visited want to develop a programme of education for sustainability, but say the support and reo resources are just not available.

"This money should help to deal with this barrier," Mrs Turei said.

The funding, which will progressively increase over the next four years, will be used in three areas.

* $7.4 million will build and support the national coordination of the existing Education for Sustainability programme and provide teacher training.

* $4.6 million will go to the Enviroschools Foundation for resource development.

* $800,000 will go to a Maori national coordination programme for total immersion and kaupapa Maori schools.

About $50,000 each year will be used to evaluate the programme.

"By teaching children and young people about the impacts of human behaviour on the natural environment and encouraging ideas and practical skills for sustainability, we are future-proofing our nation and protecting our environment and economy for many more generations to come," Mrs Turei said.