The aim of the article is to statistically estimate, with a qualitative approach, knowledge on environmental education issues of primary school students in four communities of the Amacuzac river, before and after attending a workshop on sustainable use, management and conservation of water and the riparian ecosystem, based on educational materials from various institutions. Questionnaires were implemented, the responses of which reflect children’s perceptions of the topic. The results show significant differences in knowledge and learning between communities; also skills to assimilate and retain new information. A clear diagnosis of the previous or initial knowledge and experience of the attendees was obtained. This is important because the environmental education programmes disseminated and implemented in the country are often the same, but the population is heterogeneous, so it is important to include these variables in the analysis when comparing populations.