Science education in primary school towards environmental sustainability

Abstract

Science education has become one of the core subjects in Malaysia primary schools and since 2003 it has been taught to students as early as year 1 (7 years old). The contents of science curriculum in the primary schools, consists the knowledge and facts of environmental education related factors. The objectives of this study is to find out the elements of environmentally related subject that is taught in science classes which concurrent towards environmental sustainability. To be able to become a developed country by year 2020, Malaysia must not only have a scientifically and technologically literate citizens but they must know and be aware of how to sustain the development. This can be accomplish if the children in schools today are prepared and geared towards an education that taught and shaped their thinking and behavior towards the important of a sustainable development So, the knowledge of science must not only able to make them good inventors or creative innovators that can contribute to the development of science and technology but also must be able to make them aware and conscious of their actions that might give bad or negative influence to the environment. © Medwell Journals, 2011.