Motivations of teachers for working with agroecology in the formal education

Abstract

This study investigated the motivations of teachers to teach Agroecology and their beliefs
about the better way to conduct food production. Interviews were conducted with five teachers
from the agrarian sciences (3 women; 2 men) and the mean age was 46,25 years and at least
six years of professional practice in the area. Using similarities and particularities in the responses,
the belief that the current model of agriculture is generating serious environmental and
health problems for both farmers and consumers was highlighted. Agroecology was indicated
as the solution to solve these problems. Among the difficulties faced to teach Agroecology,
they pointed to the need of interdisciplinary activities and differentiated methodological proposals,
centered in the surroundings of the schools. Difficulties were pointed out like a closed
curriculum and pre-determined contents. These results point to the importance of strengthening
the pedagogical practices adapted to the context of the schools to facilitate the teaching
of Agroecology.