Students' and Teachers' Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Bioenergy Resources

Authors

  • Belete Alemayehu College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Haramaya University
  • Sissay Menkir College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Haramaya University
  • Garkebo Basha College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Haramaya University
  • Lisanework Nigatu School of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52634/mier/2014/v4/i2/1469

Keywords:

Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions, Bio-Energy Resources.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of students and science teachers towards bio-energy resources (BER) and other renewable energy sources (RES) in two randomly selected government secondary schools (Harar and Abadir Secondary Schools) in the Harari regions. The sample consisted of randomly selected grade ten students (N=302), science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) teachers (N=35) and school leaders (principals and unit leaders) (N=8). The analysis of the data revealed that teachers were found to have a low level of knowledge about BER and geothermal energy, while students have low-level of knowledge about BER and other RES. It was also found out that both students and teachers didn't have clear perception and attitude towards BER and RES. Document analysis revealed that issues related to BER and other RES were not integrated into the curricula of the schools. No school co-curricular activities were observed for issues related to BER and RES. This may be because of the resource limitations; low level of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions held by school community towards BER and RES, schools didn't play their roles disseminating and implementing concepts of BER and RES. Although the issue of BER and other RES is critical nowadays, the study revealed that due attention wasn't given to this issue in schools.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Downloads

Published

2014-11-10

How to Cite

Alemayehu, B., Menkir, S., Basha, G., & Nigatu, L. (2014). Students’ and Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Bioenergy Resources. MIER Journal of Educational Studies Trends and Practices, 4(2), 183–194. https://doi.org/10.52634/mier/2014/v4/i2/1469

Issue

Section

Articles

References

AAID. (2001). Power for the People: Renewable Energy in Developing Countries. A Summary Discussion of the Renewable Energy Forum, Canberra, 18 October 2000.

Bio-Energy Resource Corporation. (2006). Bio-energy. Retrieved September 6, 2012 from http://www.Bio-energy net//bio-energy html.

Christropher, F., & Molly, H. A. (2005). Energy for Development. The Potential of Renewable Energy in Meeting the Millennium Development Goals. World Watch Institute.

Gambro, J.S., & Switzky, H.N. (1996). A national survey of high school students' environmental knowledge. Journal of Environmental Education, 27(3), 28-33.

Gustavo, B., FAO., Rome., & Christensen, J. (2006). Role of bio-energy in global energy supply. Energy Report 2. Retrieved February 16, 2010 from http//www.bioenergy.net/bioenergy.net.

Ham, S.H., & Sewing, D.S. (1988). Barriers to environmental education. Journal of Environmental Education, 19(2), 17-24.

Hausbeck, K.W., Milbrath, L.W., & Enright, S.M. (1992). Environmental knowledge, awareness and concern among 11th-grade students. Journal of Environmental Education, 24(1), 27-34.

Lane, J., Wilke, R., Champeua, R., & Sivek, D. (1994). Environmental education in Wisconsin: A teacher survey. Journal of Environmental Education, 25(4), 9-17.

Spiropoulou, D., Antonakaki, T., Kontaxaki, S., & Bouras, S. (2007). Primary teachers' literacy and attitudes on education for sustainable development. Journal of Science Educational Technology 16(5):443450.