Pedagogical conditions for the development of students’ ecological competence in the modern educational space

The aim of the study was to identify effective approaches to integrating environmental education into the learning process. The methodology included student surveys, interviews with teachers and parents, and an analysis of students’ creative works. The level of environmental awareness among students and teachers was examined. Specifically, 58% of students regularly spend time in nature, but only 41% adhere to principles of environmentally responsible behaviour. Interactive methods are employed by 62% of teachers in delivering environmental education, and half of the students actively participate in creative projects focused on nature conservation. Survey results revealed that 81% of students understand waste segregation, yet only 39% practice it at home. During interviews, 67% of parents assessed their children’s environmental awareness as high or sufficient, but 25% rarely discuss environmental issues at home. An analysis of students’ creative works - including drawings, essays, and photo reports - showed that 78% of drawings depict the beauty of nature and the need for its preservation, while 64% of essays contain proposals for improving the environmental situation in their city. Furthermore, only 39% of families actively engage in waste segregation, indicating a need for improved environmental practices in the household. The results also demonstrated that 32% of students and 62% of teachers consider the integration of environmental topics across all disciplines important. The practical significance of the study lies in using these findings to develop recommendations for enhancing students’ ecological competence through improved infrastructure, family involvement, and the implementation of interactive teaching methods.