Challenges of Environmental Education: Inculcating Behavioural Changes among Indigenous Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges encountered by teachers in teaching and learning of environmental education and the proposed solutions for cultivating positive behavioural changes among indigenous students. The study was conducted among teachers from 12 primary and secondary indigenous schools in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to collect data from the teachers. Based on the findings, two challenges in implementing environmental education in indigenous schools were identified: 1) challenges arising from the teachers and 2) challenges from the indigenous students themselves. Teachers were challenged by time constraints, heavy workload, poor teaching aids, unavailability of manual/handbook, and the lack of support from the school administrators. In contrast, the challenges from the indigenous students come from their lack of environmental awareness, hygiene problem, low self-confidence and problem in learning. The identified challenges can be addressed by teacher’s competency in integrating environmental education and creative teaching approaches based on the ability of the indigenous students as well as support from the relevant stakeholders.