The environmental education in schools: a pilot study on teachers perceptions

Abstract

The theme of environmental education and school has been a breeding ground for rich discussions among scholars and researchers transiting in the areas related to the environment and education. Even amid the significant body of research, few studies have been devoted to this issue through the eyes of the teacher. Therefore, this article, result of a pilot and exploratory research study, aims to investigate the practice of environmental education from the teacher actor view about (a) the different strategies (projects, disciplines, among others) and their predominance, through the perceptions of active teachers in public school and/or private school and (b) the level of grip (or inconsistency) between the declared perspective for the school's interest in environmental education and the operationalization of this practice. This work is based on building a dialogue with some thoughts that surround the school and the teacher ahead to environmental education. Data analysis shows a contradiction environment, since the respondents indicate interest of schools, students and themselves in relation to environmental education, although not perceive it as sufficient nor school projects, nor the preparation of teachers.