Relationship between consciousness about environmental education concepts in secondary school chemistry curriculum and attitude of students towards environment

Abstract

The study aim to investigate the relationship between consciousness about environmental education concepts in senior secondary school chemistry curriculum and attitude of chemistry students towards the environment in Kwara state. The study deploys descriptive survey design. Using Simple random sampling and Stratified proportionate sampling techniques. A sample of four hundred (400) senior secondary school science students and 16 senior secondary schools was used for the study. Two structured Questionnaires with titles” Students Attitude to Environment Questionnaire (SAEQ) and Students Consciousness towards Environment Questionnaire (SCEQ)” were developed by the researcher. The validity coefficient of SAEQ and SCEQ was 0.801 and 0.765. These were obtained using Cronbach-alpha method. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. Data collected were analysis using mean standard deviation, one way ANOVA and Pearson Product moment correlation (PPMC). The findings from the study revealed that the student environmental consciousness influenced their attitude towards the environment and, that student’s continuous exhibition of attitude towards the environment is rooted on their inadequate consciousness or knowledge of the causes and effects of environmental problems, it was recommended that Ministry of Education updates the curriculum of Senior Secondary School managing Environmental Education (EE) content.