An assessment of the incorporation and the teaching of environmental studies in primary schools in Murang'a District
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Date
1987
Authors
Mang'uriu, Daniel Gathuru
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study assessed the extent of incorporation and
the teaching of Environmental studies in primary
schools in Murang'a district. The upper primary
syllabuses were examined to ,identify topics on Environmental
studies included.
Forty primary school teachers, eight from each
of the five divisions in the district were selected
using stratified random selection. Each teacher filled
a questionnaire containing two parts. Part 1 assessed
teachers' attitudes towards the environment and
Environmental studies. Part II assessed the teaching of
Environmental studies in 'primary schools. The findings
of the study were quantified and expressed in percentages.
The examination of the upper primary syllabuses
revealed that, a multi-disciplinary approach is used
to teach Environmental studies. The disciplines
containing Environmental studies are: Combined course
(Geography, History and Civics), Agriculture, Science
and Horne Science.
The findings of the study showed that teachers in
Murang'a district are aware of the state of the
Environment and have positive attitudes towards the
x
environment. The majority of teachers agreed that
concern for the environment should be a duty for every'
citizen. Most teachers agreed that environmental
ed~cation should play the vital role of changing
pupils' attitudes, values and behaviour with a view
to making pupils respect, appreciate and protect the
environment.
The study revealed that most teachers in the
district frequently used the environment as a teaching
resource. No text book on environmental education
was being used in primary schools visited. Most teachers
had no training on how to incorporate environmental
education into their instructional programmes. The
problems faced by teachers included shortage of
reference books, lack of finance to organize field
trips and other problems.
Recommendations to ensure that environmental studies
are effective in promoting environmental awareness and
solving environmental problems inc lude those- t.o:the
inspectorate, curriculum developers, suppliers of
teaching materials and the school community.
Recommendations for further research include an
assessment:of pupils attitudes towards the environment,
research on whether pupils apply the knowledge acquired
on environmental education after they graduate from
primary schools and others.
Description
Master of Education, 102p.1987, S 946 .M3