Assessment of the availability and effectiveness of environmental education through the Eco-Schools Programme at Umzinyathi District schools

Abstract

(a) Background of the study The study was conducted at Umzinyathi District schools. Umzinyathi District comprises of four circuits, i.e. Umvoti, Nqutu, Msinga and Endumeni. The study intended to find out if EE education is available and effective enough through Eco-Schools Programme at Umzinyathi District Schools. Each circuit was represented by three schools. One school was the school that was registered with Eco-Schools Programme and have a green flag status, the second school was the school that was registered with Eco-Schools Programme and working towards getting the green flag status and the third school was the school that was not registered with the Eco-Schools Programme. (b) Methodology Qualitative, explorative research was conducted in order to determine the availability and effectiveness of Eco-Schools Programme at Umzinyathi District Schools. Data collection was done using different types of interviews for different types of participants, i.e. educators, learners, members of the School Governing Bodies, officials of the DoE, DAEA as well as of the local municipalities. Site visits to the Eco-Schools was also used to collect data. When collecting data, a tape recorder was used. The interviews were conducted in both isiZulu and English and translated to English by the researcher. (c) Results and findings The study proved that Eco-Schools Programme is the necessary tool in bringing about the change in teaching about protecting and caring about the environment. The study also discovered that at the Umzinyathi District is not available and effective enough. Another thing the study discovered is that, there is another programme that is run by the DAEA, which is called NEEP (National Environmental Education Programme). The study also finds out that some of the Eco-Schools are also registered with this programme. (d) Recommendations It was recommended that the Eco-Schools Programme be compulsory to all the schools of Umzinyathi District where the study was based. Another recommendation was that the Department of Education appoint some people within the department to work full time with the DAEA in implementing, monitoring, supporting and assessing the progress of the programme in the district.