What should be included in education programmes – The socio-education analysis for sustainable management of natural resources

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2020-03, Vol.250, p.119556, Article 119556
• Main Authors: Mróz, Anna, Ocetkiewicz, Iwona, Tomaszewska, Barbara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Education; Renewable resources; Sustainable development; Teachers
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119556

Education is an important element in enhancing students’ awareness of the environment. This is because education plays an important role in shaping and transforming society. According to the assumptions of the most important documents regarding sustainable development (Agenda 21, 1992; Agenda, 2030, 2015; UNESCO, 2018a) the condition for achieving the desired development model is properly planned and effectively implemented education. Therefore, teachers should make every effort to expand students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes (and thus competences) in this area. This should be implemented, inter alia, by actively incorporating key issues for sustainable development into educational programmes. The purpose of the study presented here was to explore and describe the inclusion of the issue of the sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR) in education programmes (curricula) by Polish teachers. The authors were looking for the answer to the research question: how do Polish teachers of general subjects working in lower secondary schools (gimnazjums) and upper secondary schools (lyceums) integrate the SMNR issue into educational programmes? The aim of the research was descriptive-exploratory. In order to answer the research question, we used the survey method (quantitative paradigm). The authors have developed our own questionnaire, which served as a research tool. A total of 337 Polish teachers of general subjects took part in the research. The results show that in their daily work they try to incorporate the SMNR issue into educational programmes, but they do not always know how to actively involve students. However, many teachers, especially Polish language teachers, still do not implement this issue in their curriculum. •Curricula in Polish secondary school is analysed.•Inclusion of the issue of sustainable management to the curricula is presented.•Sustainable management of natural resources is a priority for the future of the world.