Ecologia e educação ambiental no ensino fundamental moçambicano : percepções dos professores e compatibilidade com a realidade local

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2001

RESUMO

With the increasing awareness of environmental concems since the 1970 s, Environrnental Education has developed as an element within the school curricula. Related with the nature of such an education at primary leveI, in practice it can take various forms, from the study of the immediate surroundings, to planting trees in a conservation area or campaigning for endangered species. The aim of the present study is, through an environrnental diagnosis, to identify the problems facing the community in order to better design proposals of environrnental education programs, to get a clear picture about the situation of Environrnental Education in the primary schools. It explores, also, perceptions and practices conducted by teachers involved in this area of education. An assessment of students attending the last year of lower primary school was carried out. The main purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the environrnental knowledge and student attitudes, as well as, their main source of information. Due to cultural habits, as well as financial shortage, some native and cultivated plants used for medicine are considered very important natural resource for the Mozambican communities. For this purpose a stratified random sample of both sexes with ages varied between 18 and 60 years was established. According to the needs of local communities, some proposals of themes, to be used in the elaboration of environrnental education projects were also identified. The methodology involves a questionnaire survey amongst teachers students, and local communities. lnterviews with key persons were also realized. The field study was carried out in Mozambique, a country located in the southem Africa. Within such a country there are some disparities in terms of natural resources distribution and consumption. Some plant and animal species are being threatened, and if the situation could not be changed, they should suffer an extreme extinction risk. Most of the teachers involved in the survey acknowledged the importance of developing in children an awareness about the environment and related issues, as well as, a sense of responsibility for its conservation and improvement. However, some of them believe that the challenge would be in the implementation of affective and moral approaches within the practical realities of primary schools. AIso, it seems important to offer further professional training focusing on some new approaches, essential for the introduction and elaboration of Environmental Education programs within the primary curricula. For the majority of students, plants and animaIs describe better the environment; and the school represents their main source of environmental information. Poverty, drought, and soil fertility were most ftequently mentioned as critical local environmental problems threatening the development of local communities. Natural Science and Geography are the subjects that actually contribute more in the dissemination of environmental topics. About 34 folk plant species belonging to 22 families were mentioned as used for medicine purposes. Utilization of medicinal plants by local communities was analyzed using diversity indices. Usage of such plants by different categories of people (Sex and age), in relation to its occurring place and origin, was compared and significant differences (p<0,05) were found among some groups. According with the environmental diagnosis and the opinion of interviewed people, themes like deforestation, drought, poverty, soil erosion, population growth, and basic sanitation, were suggested to be approached in future environmental education programs in Mozambique, although regional specifications within the country should be taken in mind

ASSUNTO(S)

educação ambiental - moçambique diversidade biologica - moçambique etnobotanica - moçambique

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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