Percepção dos gestores municipais sobre a educação ambiental na Paraíba: uma avaliação das políticas públicas

Abstract

In Brazil, despite advances in environmental policies, these are still fragmented, seeking to solve problems that are growing in society. Like other developing cities, the municipalities of Paraíba have numerous environmental problems, the result of anthropic actions and gaps in their public policies. This research aims to analyze the public policies of Environmental Education in municipalities in Paraíba and evaluate the environmental perception of the managers of these municipalities on Environmental Education and the Environment. It is characterized as documental, descriptive and exploratory, with a quali-quantitative approach. Normative instruments, programs, projects and actions related to Environmental Education in João Pessoa and Campina Grande were analyzed and the environmental perception of 104 managers of these municipalities was evaluated, through a questionnaire with a measurement scale. The results revealed that the absence of a Municipal Environmental Education Policy delays the consolidation of structuring public policies. The municipalities developed specific and fragmented Environmental Education actions, with little integration, monitoring and evaluation. The managers' perception was superficial, highlighting the need for training in the environmental area, which can contribute to environmental engagement and the quality of the service provided to society. Based on the results obtained, it is essential that municipalities promote partnerships and integrate sectors of public administration, enabling the transversal approach incorporated in various policies, programs, projects and municipal actions, expanding their scope. Finally, it is crucial to establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress and results, strengthening community participation and making Environmental Education a continuous and transformative municipal public policy.