Challenges and opportunities of teaching environmental education in secondary schools in Kenya: the case of Ruiru district
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Date
2014-01-31
Authors
Ng'ang'a, Nancy N.
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Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to investigate the challenges faced and
opportunities available in the teaching and learning of Environmental Education in
secondary schools in Kenya using Ruiru District in Central Province as a case study.
This was achieved by analysing the secondary school syllabi for selected environment
related subjects, namely biology, chemistry, geography and agriculture to establish the
elements of EE infused therein. The methods used to teach these elements, the
preparedness of teachers to handle them, availability of teaching and learning resources
as well as the attitudes of both teachers and students towards EE were also investigated.
The target population was the 15 secondary schools in Ruiru district which was a
division at the time of the study. A sample of ISO form three students was taken from
five randomly selected schools in the division together with 20 teachers of environment
related subjects making a total of 170 subjects. Data were collected using questionnaires,
attitude scale tests and content analysis of the secondary school syllabi of the selected
EE related subjects. Data from questionnaires and attitude scale tests were coded then
scored for analysis while data from content analysis of the selected subject syllabi were
summarised in tables to show the particular EE related topic and the EE objectives
therein. The results are presented in text and tabular form and analysed by use of
percentages, means and frequency tables. The findings of the study established that
though EE is adequately incorporated in the secondary school syllabi of subjects studied;
various challenges are faced by the teachers in the teaching of EE elements in these
subjects. These challenges include, fragmentation of EE themes in the various subjects,
inadequate instructional materials, inadequate training of teachers to handle EE related
topics in their subject areas and over-reliance on the lecture method of teaching among
others. However, attitudes of both teachers and students to EE were found to be highly
positive with 90% of teachers and 98% scoring above the mean score in the attitude
Scale tests. From the research findings, major recommendations such as adequate
provision of instructional materials, a review of pre- and in-service EE programmes for
teachers as well as regular monitoring oLEE programmes among others were made. The
findings of the study and the accompanying recommendations will no doubt prove
invaluable to curriculum developers and policy makers in the country.
Description
Department of Environmental Education, 77p. The QH 541.15 .M64N45 2010
Keywords
Environmental monitoring --Kenya, Enivironmental education --Kenya