Availability and functionality of conservation club programmes in schools for effective environmental communication and Nigerian students' learning outcomes

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of availability and functionality of conservation club programmes and subject specialization on Nigerian students' environmental knowledge, attitude and behaviour. 400 Senior secondary three science and non science students (180 male and 220 female) in twenty classes were randomly selected from ten senior secondary schools in Oyo state. Five instruments were constructed and used for collecting data. They are: (QSEK, r=0.71; QSEA, r=0.75; QSEB, r=0.75; CCAI, r=0.71; and QFCC, r = 0.72). The data collected were analysed using both the descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test and Pearson correlation). Three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The major findings revealed:
(a) a significant difference between Biology students' environmental knowledge (to 5.582>tc,1.960; PC 0.05), attitude (to 1.962>tc 1.960; P<0.05) and behaviour (to 9.766>tc, 1.960; P<0.05) in schools where conservation clubs are present and where conservation clubs are absent.
(b) a significant relationship between the level of functionality of conservation clubs programmes and Biology students' environmental conservation knowledge and behaviour.
(c) no significant difference between the science and non-science Biology students' environmental knowledge (to 0.9430.05); attitude (to, -.1800.05) and behaviour (to,-0.1930.05).
Therefore, availability and functionality of conservation club programmes in schools contributed significantly to students' acquisition of environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.

International Journal of Emotional Psychology and Sport Ethics Vol. 6, 2004: 73-82