The Effect of Environmental Education on Environmental Management among Primary School Teachers in Kenya

Abstract

Environmental problems result from human behaviour and therefore Environmental Management starts with a change in human behaviour. This change in behaviour is possible through Education and educators have been challenged over the years to rethink the role Environmental Education can play in Environmental Management. It has however been noted that Environmental Education has been in existence for more than three decades yet there is continued environmental degradation (Steele, 2010). Teachers play a key role in the transmission of the requisite knowledge, attitudes and behaviour for Environmental Management; it is thus necessary that they possess these attitudes and behaviour that are necessary for the effective provision of Environmental Education. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Environmental Education on Environmental Management among Primary School Teachers in Kenya. In addition, this study seeks to establish the correlation between Environmental Attitudes and Environmental Behaviour. Since it seems little if any research has been conducted in Kenya regarding Environmental Education; this research is expected to help fill this gap by contributing to the existing literature. This quantitative cross-sectional survey research uses teachers from Kenya to determine the effect of Environmental Education on Environmental Management. Data was collected from 220 participants using a questionnaire and analyzed using PASW version 21. The results of the study showed that: there was no significant correlation between Environmental Attitudes and Environmental Behaviour; Environmental Education had no significant effect on Environmental Behaviour; and there was no significant difference by gender in Environmental Attitudes and Environmental Behaviour.