An Overview on the Main Policies in Formulating and Implementing Environmental Education Approaches in the Sixth Development Plan of Iran

Environmental protection programs and policies could overcome environmental problems in the future and prevent future environmental problems, and act as a platform for development, if they function well at all levels of planning and get to be actively involved in the development planning process and come in close interaction with other sectors. The main goal of this research is to identify main policies in formulating and implementing environmental education approaches in the sixth development plan of Iran. Considering these policies and environmental education approaches, reform would help us to reform and to make efficient these types of education to become appropriate with the conditions and needs of the country in the sixth development plant. A descriptive survey method was used in this study. Sample size of research includes 40 experts, PhD and Master students in the field of environmental education. For data gathering, questionnaires were used. Research data were analyzed by descriptive statistical method, including percent and mean weight, and statistical inference methods, including Friedman test and Chi-squared test. Results: Results showed the necessity of policy making and determining strategies for reform and review in environmental education in Iran. Conclusion: Policy- making and adopting strategy to revise and reform environmental education is necessary. In this regard, social and cultural problems are considered to be the most important challenges facing environmental education. Also, to make courses and programs of environmental education more efficient to meet the needs and conditions of the country using new technologies, incorporating enviromental education into the formal curriculum, holding workshops, and arranging field studies and outdoor curriculum should be emphasized. Finally, to increase social responsibility and public participation in environmental conservation in the society and sustainable development, it is necessary to promote environmental ethics in formal, informal, and public education.