RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT

V diplomskem delu so predstavljene glavne karakteristike okoljske vzgoje in bistveni elementi njenega vpeljevanja v osnovne šole. Opisan je koncept trajnostnega razvoja, ki se kot vzgoja in izobraževanje za trajnostni razvoj vse bolj uveljavlja v slovenskih šolah. Povzete so tudi glavne značilnosti mednarodnega projekta Ekošola tako po svetu kot tudi pri nas in njegove prednostne naloge v programu osnovne šole. Osrednja tema se nanaša na raziskovanje odgovornega ravnanja učencev ekošol in šol, ki niso v projektu Ekošola, do okolja in njihovega okoljskega vpliva na starše oziroma njihovo družino. Izvedeni so bili anketa, ki je bila zasnovana na vzorcu 120 osnovnošolcev dveh ekošol in ene šole, ki ni vključena v projekt Ekošola, in dva intervjuja s koordinatoricama ekošol. Rezultati raziskave nakazujejo na dobro okoljsko osveščenost in posledično v večini primerov odgovorno ravnanje osnovnošolcev do okolja. Učenci večinoma ne vplivajo na ravnanje staršev do okolja, saj jih veliko meni, da starši pogosto ravnajo odgovorno do okolja in prav družina je tista, ki je po njihovem mnenju glavni dejavnik vplivanja na razvijanje njihove pozitivne zavesti do okolja. Osnovna šola, bodisi Ekošola bodisi Zdrava ali katera druga šola, spodbuja razvoj odgovorne, okolju prijazne osebe in le v sodelovanju s starši so lahko dolgoročni cilji tudi doseženi.My diploma paper presents the main features of evironmental education and essential elements of its gradual inclusion into primary schools. I have given a full description of the concept of sustainable development, which is increasingly becoming a necessary part of primary schools\u27 curriculum. I have also summarized the main characteristics of the international project called Eco-school from around the world as well as Slovenia and its preferential tasks in the curriculum for primary schools. The central topic focuses on exploring responsible attitude of the students attending eco-schools and schools which are not part of the Eco-school project towards the environment and the students\u27 environmental impact on their parents and families respectively. A survey has been carried out involving 120 primary school students from two eco-schools and one school which is not part of the Eco-school projects. Apart from the survey, two interviews with eco-school coordinators have been conducted. The results of the survey imply good environmental awarness and consequently, in most cases, responsible attitude of the students regarding the environment. Mostly, students do not have an influence on their parents\u27 attitude as regards the environment stating that their parents show responsible handling of the environment already themselves. Also, according to the student\u27s opinion the family itself is the main factor in the development of their positive consciousness when it comes to the environment. Primary school, regardless whether eco-school, Healthy or any other, encourages the development of responsible, eco-friendly personality and only in cooperation with parents the long-term goals can be achieved