A study on environmental education in Akkaraipattu Muslim Central College, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Our environment is unique because it sustains life and growth. On other planets, there is no environment and so no life. Environment means all that surrounds us. It consists of geography, geology and all other natural resources that nature has bestowed us. Environmental education is one of the important topics which is gaining prominence in the modern world. Many extensive discussions are going on regarding the solutions for environmental problems that aim at attaining sustainable development. Environmental education knowledge is essential for everyone. It helps to create awareness and an understanding of the evolving social and physical environment as a whole, its natural, man-made resources for the development of the society. Environmental education is vitally important to find ways to avoid self-destruction. Educating people is one of the measures to bring the needed awareness and solutions towards protecting the environment. The present study is to find out what importance is given to Environmental Education in Akkaraipattu Muslim Central College. Environmental awareness of students and staff also was found out. For this purpose, Environmental awareness of students and staff was taken into consideration and analysis through questionnaires. It was found that staff had high environmental awareness, whereas the students showed only 50% of awareness on environmental issues. School teachers also have a positive attitude towards conserving the environment. Therefore, the environmental attitude of students and teachers become clear from this finding. The study revealed that there was a relationship between environmental awareness and environmental attitude. There was no significant difference between male and female teachers in their awareness and attitude towards environmental education. It was also found out that environmental awareness does predict the environmental attitude of school teachers.