Content analysis of environmental sensibilities of the Senior Secondary School (SSS 1-3) tourism textbook (substance tourism focus) used in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Stakeholders in Environmental Education especially Cross River State and Nigeria at large have raised serious concern about the quality  of the environment we live which is not very conducive for human well-being. The environment has been abused by man’s activities as he  continually quests for a better standard of living. This study seeks to analyze the content and quality of environmental knowledge  found in substance tourism focus, one of the textbooks used in teaching tourism in senior secondary school (SSS 1-3) in Cross River State,  Nigeria. The study involves counting and analyzing the contents of environmental issues or information found in the 25 passages  of the textbook considering the different environments (abiotic, biotic, neutral and social environment). The passages were shared  among the three groups of SS1, SS2 and SS3. Chapter 1-8 for SS1, 9-16 for SS2 and 16-25 for SS3. Two research questions were used to  guide the study. Observed data were analyzed using a simple percentage technique. The result obtained from the analysis of the text  revealed that environmental issues were reflected in some passages but an undesirable proportion. It was concluded among others that  the idea of portraying more of the social and abiotic environments at the detriment of the biotic and neutral environments does not  expose students to the proper knowledge and awareness of environmental issues that can lead to a change of behaviour as well as the  sustainability of our ecosystem.