Knowledge of Climate Change and Mitigation Strategies among Primary School Teachers: Implications for Sustainable Development in Cross River State
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Abstract
This study focused on assessing climate change knowledge and mitigation strategies among primary school teachers in Cross River State, Nigeria. Three research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study, which adopted the descriptive survey research design. Out of the population of 17,284 Public Primary School teachers in Cross River State, a sample of 384 teachers was drawn for the study through multi-stage sampling procedure involving simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data in the study were collected using Climate Change Knowledge Test (CCKT) and Climate Change Mitigation Strategies Questionnaire (CCMSQ) developed by the researchers and validated by three experts in relevant fields. After trial-testing the instruments, the reliability of the CCKT was determined using K-R20, which yielded a reliability index of .77 while Cronbach’s Alpha was used in estimating the reliability of the CCMSQ, which yielded an index of .75. Data collected for the study were analysed using mean and standard deviation for answering research questions.
Findings showed that primary school teachers possessed low knowledge of climate change (Mean = 8.45, SD= 2.26). The result also showed that primary school teachers possessed low knowledge of mitigation strategies for climate change (Mean = 2.02, SD= 0.96). Additionally, lack of training for teachers on climate-related topics, insufficient teaching materials, and the absence of clear policy guidelines for incorporating climate change into teaching were identified as challenges of climate change education. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others, that regular professional development workshops should be organised for teachers to enhance their understanding of climate change and mitigation strategies. The government should integrate climate change education into the primary school curriculum, with clear guidelines and resources for teachers.
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