Secondary students’ perception, positioning and insight on education for sustainability

Abstract This study aimed to analyse and understand the perception about Education for Sustainability from the perspective of secondary school students in the Basque Autonomous Community by means of a qualitative methodological strategy. Specifically, the study was conducted in four educational centres with a total of 39 students, through discussion groups in a total of eight meetings. Environmental education documents of the centres were analysed, and a non-participatory observation process was also applied. The main results showed that the students had sufficient knowledge and information about the socio-environmental problem; however, their behaviour did not correspond to their way of thinking. In order to generate a real impact on attitudes and habits, environmental education should have, not only more presence in the school curriculum, but more experiential approaches and the implication of school managers.