Challenges of Environmental Education: Inculcating Behavioural Changes among Indigenous Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges encountered by teachers in teaching and learning of environmental education and the proposed solutions for cultivating positive behavioural changes among indigenous students. The study was conducted among teachers from 12 primary and secondary indigenous schools in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to collect data from the teachers. Based on the findings, two challenges in implementing environmental education in indigenous schools were identified: 1) challenges arising from the teachers and 2) challenges from the indigenous students themselves. Teachers were challenged by time constraints, heavy workload, poor teaching aids, unavailability of manual/handbook, and the lack of support from the school administrators. In contrast, the challenges from the indigenous students come from their lack of environmental awareness, hygiene problem, low self-confidence and problem in learning. The identified challenges can be addressed by teacher's competency in integrating environmental education and creative teaching approaches based on the ability of the indigenous students as well as support from the relevant stakeholders.

Developing Kamishibai and Hologram Multimedia for Environmental Education at Elementary School

“…In [12], the author said kamishibai could also help students find symptoms and causes of environmental problems by emphasizing environmental problems' complexity, thereby encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students can also utilize a variety of learning environments and approaches in learning environments with an emphasis on changing students' mindsets.…”

“…Usage Constraints. The findings of each of these indicators are an explanation of the opinion of the previous research results on environmental learning research, including according to [12]; [31]; [33]; [17]. In the opening scene, the teacher provides an initial description of the material to be delivered.…”

Amalan kelestarian alam sekitar dalam kalangan guru prasekolah

“…Menurut Mukaddes dan Agnello (2009), pendidikan lestari memberi peluang kepada murid untuk menintegrasikan pertimbangan terhadap persekitaran dalam mengambil sebarang keputusan secara lebih berhemah. Oleh sebab pendidikan alam sekitar di Malaysia dijalankan secara merentas kurikulum, guru perlu bijak dalam mengintegrasikan isi kandungan pelajaran dengan pendidikan berkaitan alam sekitar (Rahman et al, 2018). Zaman kanak-kanak merupakan peringkat yang penting untuk menyediakan pengalaman positif berkaitan alam sekitar, berinteraksi dengan makhluk hidup dan menyemai rasa penghargaan terhadap keindahan alam (NAAEE, 2010).…”

“…Hal ini menunjukkan bahawa guru-guru kurang menyertai program berkaitan dengan pembangunan isuisu alam sekitar. Rahman et al (2018) menyatakan bahawa kekurangan buku panduan dan kursus yang berkaitan dengan pendidikan alam sekitar dalam kalangan guru telah menyebabkan guruguru mempunyai pengetahuan yang kurang. Hal ini menyebabkan guru tidak mampu mengintegrasikan pendidikan alam sekitar dalam pengajaran mereka.…”

Evaluation of Cognitive and Effective Domain of Environmental Education in School Curriculum

“…Due to the restricted class time (Hassan and Ismail 2011) and the lack of support from school administrators, as well as other stakeholders, such as parents and the education sector, numerous barriers to the incorporation of environmental education with school curricula have been found (Rahman et al . 2018).…”