An exploration of the impact of environmental education innovation on students in sustaining land resources : a case of Mkhondo Village

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of Environmental Education in learners with regard to unacceptable waste dumping which causes land degradation in Mkhondo village. Large parts of the Mkhondo area, including the informal settlement, the location and the local school, are very untidy due to littering by the residents and learners. The situation is contrary to the objectives of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD). The study was focused on the impact that Environmental Education as an extracurricular activity would have on the students in reducing or eradicating littering. Data was collected through focus group interviews with the learners and the parents as well as observations. The study revealed that learners showed no concern about the negative impact of disposing of litter inappropriately even after the extra-mural activities on Environmental Education, which indicated that they were not concerned about the environment at school as well as at home. The initiative of Environmental Education was implemented in a short period, hence learners were not yet fully acquainted with the responsibility of taking care of the environment and alleviating littering on the school premises. I therefore recommend that educational campaigns on appropriate solid waste disposal should be initiated in the school and in the community. Further studies should be conducted on how Environmental Education can be integrated in the curriculum as an examinable subject.