CHARTING A PATH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: LEGISLATIVE AND CURRICULAR FRAMEWORKS IN GREECE

The concept of literacy goes beyond traditional reading and writing skills, referring to the individual's ability to function effectively in a variety of environments and communicative situations. In the modern era, digital technology has expanded the forms of literacy, such as scientific, digital and environmental, necessary to fulfil educational and social needs. Environmental Education is considered key to the development of Environmental Literacy, aiming to inform and raise awareness about sustainable development and sustainability. Despite the institutional steps that have been taken, Environmental Education in Greece has not been established as an independent subject, but functions mainly as an interdisciplinary activity. Its application remains optional, depending to a large extent on the decisions of the teachers and the social conditions of their environment. The study highlights gaps in environmental curriculum development, highlighting the need for better coordination and support to make environmental education more effective and integrated into school life. It also focuses on the need to reform Environmental Education to keep pace with international practices and concepts of sustainable development. It analyzes the implementation of the legislative documents and curricula, and demonstrates that Environmental Education remains mainly voluntary, resulting in the reduced participation of teachers in programs. It concludes about the importance of teacher training and the need to institutionalize the implementation of environmental programs in the school curriculum.