Análise das percepções e práticas dos alunos e professores na educação ambiental no ensino secundário: caso da Escola Comunitária Comunhão na Colheita

Abstract

Several studies show that schools are, par excellence, institutions responsible for promoting actions aimed at developing environmental awareness within the school community and, in particular, among students. However, there has been a lack of awareness in schools about how to care for the environment. This is manifested, on the one hand, by the poor treatment of solid waste, the consumption of drugs, alcoholic beverages, the possession of sound devices, the destruction of ecological heritage (trampling on grass), and, on the other hand, by the poor maintenance of public heritage and failure to fully comply with the standards established in this socio-educational space. The findings described above lead us to question what schools have been teaching, to the point that basic elements of environmental education and citizenship are not reflected in the daily conduct of citizens and students in particular. In this line, this study sought to analyze the perceptions and practices of students and teachers at the Comunhão na Colheita Community School regarding environmental education. The study sample consisted of 23 participants, of which 12 were students (3 per class), 11 teachers, of which (4) teach Portuguese; (2) Geography; (2) Biology; (2) Agriculture and Livestock and (1) Trades. Random sampling was used for their selection. For this purpose, a qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis as data collection techniques. The study concluded that the students and teachers of the Comunhão na Colheita Community School are environmentally aware, and that subjects on the topic of environmental education are addressed in several subjects of general secondary education. The contents are assimilated both in the classroom environment and through practical exercises in the external environment and in extracurricular activities such as cleaning campaigns and lectures involving the school community