Environmental education for sustainable development in Bangladesh and its challenges

Abstract

AbstractEnvironmental Education is very vital to reaching the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals. However, a lack of environmental awareness and gaps in theoretical knowledge and its practices still exists in Bangladesh. Therefore, this research aims to understand the students' perceptions of whether and how their behavior is environment‐friendly to achieve sustainable development goals. It also addresses teachers' perceptions of what are the shortcomings of environmental education in Bangladesh. It uses qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques based on in‐depth interviews, surveys among different categories of participants, and classroom observation. The article finds that the level of Environmental Education and students' awareness of the environment is inadequate. Some teachers believe that Environmental Education is not better in Bangladesh due to the absence of practical learning of Environmental Education, lack of motivations and actions, institutional weakness, inadequate policies, poor implementation, and cultural and traditional beliefs. Thus, this article argues that Bangladeshi Environmental Education is insufficient to change the students' behavior towards the environment, making it difficult for the country to ensure Sustainable Development.