THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER’S PERSONAL EXAMPLE IN INSTILLING ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES IN SCHOOL EDUCATION

Abstract

This article explores the role of the teacher’s personal example in instilling environmental values within the school education system of Uzbekistan. The study emphasizes that teachers serve not only as transmitters of ecological knowledge but also as role models whose personal behavior shapes students’ environmental attitudes and habits. Theoretical foundations such as value-oriented education, ecological pedagogy, and social learning theory are discussed to explain how teachers’ actions influence the moral and ecological development of learners. The paper also examines Uzbekistan’s legal and policy frameworks — including the Law “On Education” (2020), the Law “On Environmental Protection” (1992, amended 2019), and the National Strategy for Environmental Protection (2019–2030) — that support environmental education. The conclusion highlights the necessity of strengthening teachers’ ecological competence and personal responsibility to ensure the formation of an environmentally conscious young generation.