Abstract

The paper argues that the unique position of the educational system as the initiator and executor of educational policies has made it compelling for educational administrators and planners to champion the effective implementation of environmental education as a strategy for improving public awareness, environmental quality and hopefully propel sustainable development in Nigeria. The objectives of this paper therefore are four fold: to present where we are in terms of policy issues, what the challenges and opportunities are, what we should be doing and the role of educational planners. The paper concludes that environmental education and the education process should assume a position of prominence and importance if the goal of sustainable development is to be achieved and stressed the need to urgently embrace the “green curriculum” and mainstream environment in education at all levels.

Key words: Public awareness, environmental education, role, educational administrators, planners.