Environmental education in the Republic of Tatarstan: Social analysis of the situation

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research, aimed at assessing the level of satisfaction of environmental education in the Republic of Tatarstan. Objective of the research was to determine the state and development trends of environmental education and awareness in the Republic of Tatarstan. The analysis was conducted on the basis of results of long-term sociological research. The authors applied both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods involved selective study of the environmental interests and values of the population. We formed the random, repetition-free, zoned, and quota samples. Qualitative methods were based on texts proposed to the students of Tatarstan schools and institutes on the stated subject. The responses to the questionnaires revealed dissatisfaction of the youth with the level of environmental education in the republic. For example, 88% of respondents are interested in information on environmental issues, and only 8% consider this information to be sufficient. 44.7% of respondents received environmental knowledge during their study, 40.8% - did not received; only 7.2% of respondents noted that the education system gave attention to the environmental knowledge. 27.9% of respondents consider necessary to study special subjects in the secondary school, as they contribute to the distribution of environmental knowledge among young people. Our findings indicate a mismatch in the needs of the population and the younger generation for environmental knowledge and the opportunities to obtain it at secondary school and additional education system. The results confirm the existing contradiction between the demands of the youth in the field of environmental education and the real state of teaching of environmental knowledge.