1. Εnvironmental Education school practice in nursery and primary schools in Greece Maria Dimopoulou EE official,1 st Division of Primary Education of Athens

2. EE was introduced in Primary Education Curricula in 1991 not as another subject but as an “ educational process” related to all school subjects, designed and implemented in the form of an educational “project”.EE was introduced in Primary Education Curricula in 1991 not as another subject but as an “ educational process” related to all school subjects, designed and implemented in the form of an educational “project”.

3. Its subject should be drawn from the students direct environment and the local environmental problems. For proper implementation, the collaboration of members of the school community as well as this of the local community authorities is necessary.Its subject should be drawn from the students direct environment and the local environmental problems. For proper implementation, the collaboration of members of the school community as well as this of the local community authorities is necessary.

4. EE programmes can deal with “environmental issues” which are related to widely –known environmental problems and their consequences.EE programmes can deal with “environmental issues” which are related to widely –known environmental problems and their consequences. After the Thessaloniki Declaration (1997) there is a special reference made on the theme of sustainable development.After the Thessaloniki Declaration (1997) there is a special reference made on the theme of sustainable development.

5. EE programmes are voluntarily applied in schools.EE programmes are voluntarily applied in schools. EE programmes carried out in primary education are mainly studies and educational actions which are implemented by isolated classes or school environmental groups integrated in the time table, which do not have an impact neither on the school as a whole nor on the broader community.EE programmes carried out in primary education are mainly studies and educational actions which are implemented by isolated classes or school environmental groups integrated in the time table, which do not have an impact neither on the school as a whole nor on the broader community.

6. E E officials-E E Cs The EE programmes in schools are actively supported by the Environmental Education officials and the Environmental Education Centers. The EE programmes in schools are actively supported by the Environmental Education officials and the Environmental Education Centers.

7. EE officials Educators are appointed as EE officials in each on the country’s 58 Educational Departments (separately for primary and secondary education for a 4 year term)Educators are appointed as EE officials in each on the country’s 58 Educational Departments (separately for primary and secondary education for a 4 year term) Their duties and responsibilities,are multi- dimensional (administrative,organizational,coordinative, instructional and advisory )Their duties and responsibilities,are multi- dimensional (administrative,organizational,coordinative, instructional and advisory )

8. Experience until now has shown that not only by exercising their role but also by their personal attendance,EE officials act as a defining factor for the promotion and development of EEin schools of their area.Experience until now has shown that not only by exercising their role but also by their personal attendance,EE officials act as a defining factor for the promotion and development of EEin schools of their area. They also act as go-betweens for the inclusion of a school in a network and the supervision and support of its programme implementation.They also act as go-betweens for the inclusion of a school in a network and the supervision and support of its programme implementation.

9. Schools visit EECs Schools can visit EECs for educational programmes.They can also visit EECs which are all over the country with pupils of the 5 th and 6 th classe of the primary schools.The maximum duration of a programme is 3 days.Schools can visit EECs for educational programmes.They can also visit EECs which are all over the country with pupils of the 5 th and 6 th classe of the primary schools.The maximum duration of a programme is 3 days.

10. New school curiccula In 2001, the ministry was included EE in the new school curricula.In 2001, the ministry was included EE in the new school curricula. With the new programme we have the introduction of “project scheme” to kindergarten,and the sanction of a flexible zone of cross curricular and creative activities to Elementary school. EE is an important thematic area for the drawing of topics that students will process as projects.With the new programme we have the introduction of “project scheme” to kindergarten,and the sanction of a flexible zone of cross curricular and creative activities to Elementary school. EE is an important thematic area for the drawing of topics that students will process as projects.

11. Thematic school network,eco- schools Eco-schools is an international EE programme. The schools work on the following thematic units :energy,water,trash,sustainable school school Agenta 21.The main aim of the Eco- school programme is for schools to become “sustainable” after a long term commitment (4 years)Eco-schools is an international EE programme. The schools work on the following thematic units :energy,water,trash,sustainable school school Agenta 21.The main aim of the Eco- school programme is for schools to become “sustainable” after a long term commitment (4 years)

12. ESD in the Greek curriculum The new Cross Curricula /Thematic Framework for compulsory education published in 2003 doesn’t particularly refer to Education for Sustainable Development.

13. But… Important dimensions of ESD are present as equal opportunities,reinforcing cultural and linguistic identity in multicultural societies human rights,world peace.Important dimensions of ESD are present as equal opportunities,reinforcing cultural and linguistic identity in multicultural societies human rights,world peace. The new cross curricula framework promotes the horizontal linking of individual subject curricula which ensure multidimensional analysis of cross thematic concepts such as sustainabilityThe new cross curricula framework promotes the horizontal linking of individual subject curricula which ensure multidimensional analysis of cross thematic concepts such as sustainability

14. In 2005 the Greek Ministry of Education following the goals of the U.N and UNESCO, brought educational initiatives into the framework of the Decade of ESD.In 2005 the Greek Ministry of Education following the goals of the U.N and UNESCO, brought educational initiatives into the framework of the Decade of ESD. The 2005-2006 was nominated year of waterThe 2005-2006 was nominated year of water 2006-2007 year of consumption2006-2007 year of consumption 2007-2008 year of the forest2007-2008 year of the forest 2008-2009 year of the agriculture and food2008-2009 year of the agriculture and food

15. School activities 3 fields( Environmental education,Health education,Cultural issues)3 fields( Environmental education,Health education,Cultural issues) Teachers are encouraged to work in a synthesizing way on issues related to the relevant theme of the respective year, and to undertake initiatives and actions in their schools and local communities.Teachers are encouraged to work in a synthesizing way on issues related to the relevant theme of the respective year, and to undertake initiatives and actions in their schools and local communities.

16. Thank you for your attention