Exploring Teacher-Students’ Involvement in the Environmental Ethics and Protection: Basis for Educational Campaign Program

Shella Rose G. Esmillarin

This study explored the teacher-students’ involvement in environmental ethics and protection among selected grade twelve secondary school students and science teachers in Cluster 3, Division of Pampanga. The study used survey-questionnaires and focus group discussion to collect data from the field. This study evaluated levels of teacher-students’ involvement in environmental ethics and protection and determine the availability and viability of environmental programs. Respondents did not have enough information on environmental related issues, especially towards coastal clean-up programs and green consumer activity because of a lack of environmental programs in their respective schools. Results from this study also revealed that environmental programs in schools were largely very few and not viable because of lack of funds, reluctance from both learners and their teachers. In addition, the results of the study showed that the value judgments that form the foundation of environmental ethics have direct influence on human relation in protecting the environment. Based on the findings, some recommendations have been made. Schools should design seminars that would motivate the teaching of environmental issues. Schools play a vital role in environmental protection through dissemination of ideas. This requires everyone at schools- teachers, students, administrators, community and researchers- to develop action plans to ensure that education support the development of environmental involvement and awareness. The practical part of learning, which was discovered to be very low in this study should be encouraged since it would inculcate, develop and raise positive environmental values, perceptions, and attitudes in students. Environmental issues, the world over, have become the foundation of sustainable development with an emphasis on the young ones. Environmental ethics are required to play a major role in protecting the environment. There is, therefore, unwavering need to design an education system that would support human involvement to prevent environmental problems.

Keywords: Environmental Ethics, Environmental Protection, Exploratory Sequential Design

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The author is Teacher III at Remedios National High School