Evaluation of environmental knowledge of public school teachers in São Bento, Paraiba

Abstract

The teacher is a social actor of fundamental importance in the formation of multipliers citizens of environmental knowledge. This work aimed to analyze the knowledge of teachers in São Bento, Paraiba, on the Environmental Education. We interviewed 21 teachers from three schools of public elementary school. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing 12 questions about environmental education, sustainable development and 10 environmental issues. In addition, other variables (gender, age, degree, teaching time). Knowledge of teachers ranged from little to know in part on environmental issues. There were differences in the level of knowledge between genders, being greater in males. There was a positive correlation between teaching time and the greater knowledge of the teacher. Most of them had difficulties in conceptualizing what is environmental education and sustainable development. This scenario shows the great need for teacher training in Environmental Education.