Climate Change and Sustainability in Primary and Intermediate Schools: Findings from the 2019 NZCER National Survey of English-Medium Schools

In 2019, the authors had the opportunity to ask a few questions about climate and sustainability in the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) national survey of primary and intermediate schools. NZCER began regular surveys of primary schools in 1989 and has run a national survey of English-medium schools every 3 years since then, covering a broad range of themes and areas. This report outlines the teacher and principal survey findings related to climate and sustainability. Since the authors were only able to include a few questions in the survey, these data only provide a high-level view of practices and perspectives in primary and intermediate schools, and only in English-medium schools. NZCER's research project "Educational policy and practice for a changing climate" explores what kinds of changes or adaptations the education systems may need to make in the immediate and short-to-medium term future, in response to climate change. The project is guided by the following high-level research questions: (1) According to national, international, and indigenous perspectives, how could Aotearoa's education systems and policies respond to climate change?; (2) To what extent is climate change considered an urgent issue or priority in the education system (for schools, kura, and in terms of system-level educational policy and planning)?; (3) What can be learned from kura Maori and kaupapa Maori approaches and responses?; (4) What are the implications or impacts of student-, school-, and community-led climate responses for the educational system in Aotearoa New Zealand?; and (5) What might education look like in Aotearoa New Zealand, if climate change mitigation and adaptation were factored into policy and practice across the system? For "Climate Change and Sustainability in Secondary Schools: Findings from a 2020 Survey of English-Medium Secondary and Composite Schools," see ED611338. For "Opportunities for Education in a Changing Climate: Themes from Key Informant Interviews," see ED611340.]