Environmental reasoning of secondary-level schoolchildren : case study of Okahandja, Namibia

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Okahandja has been identified as one of the 'dirtiest towns' in Namibia. The town's location makes it an important node serving as a gateway to the leisure and tourism periphery in Namibia. However, environmental problems such as littering and the burning of household waste are threatening the local cultural and nature-based tourism industry and the aesthetic beauty of the town. These forms of pollution pose various health risks to people living in the area, to those who interact with the spaces as well as for grazing animals and the natural environment. The aim of the study was to explore the environmental reasoning of secondary-level schoolchildren of Okahandja and to establish the main determinants of their environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.The research objectives of the study were (1) to study the literature on and understand the concepts and models related to pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), environmental worldview, environmental concern and place attachment; (2) conduct transect walks through the communities to gain a contextual understanding; (3) question secondary-level schoolchildren at JG van der Wath Secondary School about their environmental knowledge and concern that influence their environmental reasoning; (4) investigate the influences (im)mobility (low access to transport) and place attachment to Okahandja have on the schoolchildren's views and perceptions of the environment; (5) explore how the children view their local environment and how they want their living environment to change; and (6) examine whether children from different ethnic groups reason differently about the environment and whether these distinctions influence their interactions with their surroundings.The study followed a mixed-methods approach. A questionnaire survey among schoolchildren elicited information supplemented by observations made during transect walks, focus group discussions and participatory drawing exercises. Data was captured and analysed using STATISTICA, Excel and ArcGIS. The findings indicate that the children are aware of and relatively well-informed about the significance of a clean and protected environment. They were also well able to identify the importance of Okahandja within the Namibian landscape. Participants, especially female participants are concerned about protecting the natural environment. Greater emphasis was placed on environmental problems that are apparent and aesthetically unpleasing such as littering, than on other environmental issues such as the chopping down of trees and the burning of household waste. Participants only have a moderate sense of attachment to Okahandja so causing them to have a weak sense of responsibility and desire to behave pro-environmentally. Although community cohesion and social ties are strong within the communities, mistrust and miscommunication between residents and local authorities were identified as major stumbling blocks to PEB. Dissatisfaction with structural opportunities was displayed through a lack of concern and cooperation, leading to high levels of environmental degradation in and around Okahandja. The children seem to possess a 'balanced' environmental worldview as they believe that the natural environment should be protected yet used to sustain human life. The importance of positive role models such as parents and teachers was highlighted. It is recommended that environmental education (EE) and awareness should be implemented on three levels, namely parental, school and community.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University