Nicaragua

National Policy

The 60th article of the Constitution of Nicaragua establishes that “the Nicaraguan people have the right to live in a healthy environment. It is the responsibility of the State the preservation, conservation and restoration of the environment.” Also the 18^th article of the General Act of Environment and Natural Resources states that “the legal declaration and establishment of national protected areas has the fundamental objective of… promoting the environmental education, scientific investigation and the study of the ecosystems”. In the 34th article of the same law, it is established that “the National Educational System and the social media will promote the environmental education that allows the knowledge of ecological equilibrium and its importance… with the final purpose of improving the environmental quality.” 

EE in K-12 Education

The government has implemented an environmental axis in the K-12 curriculum through some areas, especially the area of physical and natural sciences in the secondary school. This axis is focused on the exploitation of natural resources in a sustainable way. Natural sciences are taught since the third year of the primary school and continue during secondary school until the 9th grade. 

Professional Development 

There is not a specific certification program for environmental educators in Nicaragua. However, multiple institutions offer relevant course work and degrees. For example, the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN) offers a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management.