Pupils’ Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of School-Based Solid Waste Management in a Public Elementary School in the Philippines

Abstract

This study assesses the level of awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practices of Grade 6 pupils in terms of the solid waste management of a public elementary school in Laguna, Philippines. Using a descriptive research design, the data has been collected from the responses in the survey questionnaire distributed to the selected respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings reveals low level of pupils’ awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and practices on the solid waste management. Findings also reveals that while the school has already introduced solid waste management to the pupils, they still need to have a systematic and well-defined goals and practices to highlight the importance of managing waste. Based on informal interviews with the head teachers and school leaders, the researcher has been able to confirm that the school does not have any formally drafted guidelines and policies about the school’s solid waste management program. Thus, the study recommends specific ways to enhance the school-based solid waste management program of public elementary schools in the Philippines. Keywords: Attitudes, Awareness, Knowledge, Practices, Solid Waste management