25-01-2013, 10:11 AM
HOW PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS CONCEPTUALIZE THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
ABSTRACT
The major aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and understanding of primary school children about selected environmental concepts and issues such as conservation, recycling, pollution and environmental protection. This study also aimed at understanding how the children’s conceptions are developed and how the knowledge of these critical concepts, shape their environmental awareness and practices outside the classroom. The study was conducted at three primary schools and four children were selected from each school. This study has established that the majority of children that took part in this study understand the environment only from a physical and biophysical perspective. The research findings in the study also indicated that the majority of children that took part in investigation utilized by this study recognized basic facts concerning environmental problems; however most of them could not apply their knowledge to comprehend the consequences or suggest potential solutions to the environmental problems.