HISTORY OF FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT FACTORS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SYSTEM

Title: History of Formation and Development Factors of the Environmental Education System Background: The growing global ecological crisis has made environmental education (EE) a critical tool for sustainable development. However, the historical stages and key driving factors of EE system formation remain insufficiently systematized, especially in post-Soviet contexts like Uzbekistan. Objective: This study aims to identify the chronological stages of environmental education development and analyze the main factors influencing its evolution. Methods: A historical-analytical and comparative review was conducted using 45 international and national documents (1972–2022), including UNESCO declarations, national laws, and case studies from 12 countries. Content analysis and systemic approaches were applied. Results: Four distinct stages were identified: (1) preparatory (1940–1960), (2) institutional formation (1970–1980), (3) transformation to Education for Sustainable Development (1990–2000), and (4) integration and digitalization (2010–present). Five factor groups drive EE development: ecological (32%), political-legal (28%), social (18%), scientific-technical (14%), and economic (8%). Comparative analysis shows that Uzbekistan has established a legal EE framework but lags in preschool education, teacher training, and digitalization compared to global standards.