SECONDARY EDUCATION TEACHERS' VIEWS ON ISSUES RELATED TO WASTEWATER AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Authors

  • Ilias Karachalios Env. Manager, MSc, MEd, PhD Candidate, School of Science & Technology, Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Katerina Plakitsi Professor, School of Education, University of Ioannina, Greece
  • Vassilia Hatzinikita Professor, School of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Ioannis Kalavrouziotis Professor, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Leonidas Gomatos Professor, Department of Education, School of Pedagogical & Technological Education, Greece
  • Panagiota Sakellariou Communication & Dissemination Manager, MBA, PhD Candidate, University of Patras, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i9.4963

Keywords:

waste management, education, teachers

Abstract

This research investigated the views of secondary education teachers in Greece regarding waste management. A questionnaire was administered to 332 in-service secondary education teachers from various specialties to collect data on their views related to their ability and willingness to implement waste management topics, knowledge of waste management terms, and prioritization of waste management actions. The findings revealed that secondary education teachers expressed a moderate to low level of ability to implement educational activities related to waste management, with a wide distribution of views. They express that they felt more confident in implementing Environmental Education Programs (EEP) related to solid waste management than wastewater management. Teachers showed interest in participating in and organizing environmental programs, particularly for solid waste management. While teachers demonstrated a moderate level of basic knowledge of waste management, their understanding varied across different topics. Some terms were well-known, while others were less familiar. Teachers had a limited understanding of waste management principles and struggled to correctly prioritize waste management actions, with a significant percentage prioritizing recycling over waste minimization. These findings highlight the need for further education and training for secondary education teachers in Greece regarding waste management and environmental education. Improvements are necessary to bridge the gap between teachers' knowledge and understanding of waste management principles. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating waste management topics into teacher education programs and providing ongoing professional development opportunities. This research contributes to the literature by identifying areas for improvement in environmental education practices among secondary education teachers in Greece. The findings provide insights for curriculum development and teacher training programs. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of environmental education initiatives aimed at enhancing teachers' knowledge and understanding of waste management principles.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Ilias Karachalios, Env. Manager, MSc, MEd, PhD Candidate, School of Science & Technology, Hellenic Open University, Greece

    Karachalios Ilias is a graduate of Bachelor of Environmental Management & Natural Resources (BSc & integrated MSc in Environmental Management), holder of a MSc in Environmental Conservation Management, MEd in Special Education and a PhD candidate in Environmental Education. He is currently working as a Research Associate at the Department of Water Resources & Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineering of National Technical University of Athens.

  • Katerina Plakitsi, Professor, School of Education, University of Ioannina, Greece

    Plakitsi Katerina is a Professor of Sciences Teaching and President of the Department of Early Childhood Education, School of Education of the University of Ioannina. She is President of the International Association for Socio-Cultural Research and Research for Activity and a founding member of the ISCAR-STEM thematic unit.

  • Vassilia Hatzinikita, Professor, School of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, Greece

    Hatzinikita Vassilia is Professor and currently Dean of the School of Humanities in the Hellenic Open University, academic leader of the Master’s in education, and coordinator of Educational Research in Action module.

  • Ioannis Kalavrouziotis, Professor, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, Greece

    Kalavrouziotis Ioannis is a Professor and President of Hellenic Open University, School of Science and Technology, and is Director of Education on Wastewater Management Master Programme and President of the Regional Council for Research and Innovation of the Western Greece Region.

  • Leonidas Gomatos, Professor, Department of Education, School of Pedagogical & Technological Education, Greece

    Gomatos Leonidas is a Professor of the Department of Education, School of Pedagogical and Technological Education, ASPETE.

  • Panagiota Sakellariou, Communication & Dissemination Manager, MBA, PhD Candidate, University of Patras, Greece

    Sakellariou Panagiota is Communication & Dissemination Manager with an MBA and a PhD Candidate at the University of Patras.

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Published

2023-08-03

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 9 (2023)

Section

Articles

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