Assessment of Textbook Content and Teachers’ Competence in Climate Change Education at the Primary Level

Aneela Batool aFatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

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Malik Ghulam Behlol aFatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

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Abstract

This study aims to examine the climate change education (CCE) provision in grade 5 textbooks (science and social studies) and the competence of teachers in teaching CCE in a primary girls’ schools in Skardu, Baltistan, Pakistan. It employs mixed-method research that uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather data. The first phase of the study involved collecting qualitative data to examine the provision of CCE content in selected textbooks taught in grade 5. The researcher adapted an interview questionnaire to assess the competence of teachers teaching in 38 schools. The provision of themes and topics based on the seven principles of climate literacy given by the U.S. Global Change Research Program was identified by using latent content analysis (LCA). The study concludes that science and social studies textbooks lack the incorporation of CCE content of principles 1, 4, 6, and 7. Furthermore, the majority of teachers have not received training to use digital media and apply activity-based methods to engage campus and community support for CCE. The study also found that the selected schools lack school planting campaigns, CCE committees, and CCE walks. Above all, the respondents possess conflicting views about whether climate change is a natural or human-contributed phenomenon.

Significance Statement

Like other countries around the globe, Pakistan is the victim of climatic disasters which have disastrous effects on the economy, agriculture, healthcare, and weather conditions. These effects are exacerbated by lacking awareness, attitudinal issues, and poor pro-climate-supported practices at the academic and societal levels (Asian Development Bank 2022). Awareness, knowledge, and a supportive environment during childhood form attitudes and promote practices that have lasting impacts throughout the life of the individual (Gulraiz and Ali 2021). Therefore, children need to learn and adopt proclimate lifestyles, such as observing cleanliness, practicing planting, and judicious use of energy resources. With this background, we assessed the textbooks based on seven principles of climate literacy given by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP 2009) and observed that principles 1, 4, 6, and 7 are not adequately addressed in science and social studies textbooks taught in public schools. Moreover, teachers have not received training to use digital media and gather campus and community support, and they have a stereotypical understanding of climate change. The study possesses significant implications for curriculum revisions and elementary education management to address the gaps relating to climate change education (CCE).

© 2024 American Meteorological Society. This published article is licensed under the terms of the default AMS reuse license. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Malik Ghulam Behlol, ghulambehlol@fjwu.edu.pk

Abstract

This study aims to examine the climate change education (CCE) provision in grade 5 textbooks (science and social studies) and the competence of teachers in teaching CCE in a primary girls’ schools in Skardu, Baltistan, Pakistan. It employs mixed-method research that uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather data. The first phase of the study involved collecting qualitative data to examine the provision of CCE content in selected textbooks taught in grade 5. The researcher adapted an interview questionnaire to assess the competence of teachers teaching in 38 schools. The provision of themes and topics based on the seven principles of climate literacy given by the U.S. Global Change Research Program was identified by using latent content analysis (LCA). The study concludes that science and social studies textbooks lack the incorporation of CCE content of principles 1, 4, 6, and 7. Furthermore, the majority of teachers have not received training to use digital media and apply activity-based methods to engage campus and community support for CCE. The study also found that the selected schools lack school planting campaigns, CCE committees, and CCE walks. Above all, the respondents possess conflicting views about whether climate change is a natural or human-contributed phenomenon.

Significance Statement

Like other countries around the globe, Pakistan is the victim of climatic disasters which have disastrous effects on the economy, agriculture, healthcare, and weather conditions. These effects are exacerbated by lacking awareness, attitudinal issues, and poor pro-climate-supported practices at the academic and societal levels (Asian Development Bank 2022). Awareness, knowledge, and a supportive environment during childhood form attitudes and promote practices that have lasting impacts throughout the life of the individual (Gulraiz and Ali 2021). Therefore, children need to learn and adopt proclimate lifestyles, such as observing cleanliness, practicing planting, and judicious use of energy resources. With this background, we assessed the textbooks based on seven principles of climate literacy given by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP 2009) and observed that principles 1, 4, 6, and 7 are not adequately addressed in science and social studies textbooks taught in public schools. Moreover, teachers have not received training to use digital media and gather campus and community support, and they have a stereotypical understanding of climate change. The study possesses significant implications for curriculum revisions and elementary education management to address the gaps relating to climate change education (CCE).

© 2024 American Meteorological Society. This published article is licensed under the terms of the default AMS reuse license. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Malik Ghulam Behlol, ghulambehlol@fjwu.edu.pk
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