Inculcating Environmental Awareness Amongst Vocational

Students
Syazwani Binti Abdul Razak and Mahyuddin Bin Arsat
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Environmental awareness begins with community awareness on environmental problems
deepened. The environment plays an important role in our daily lives. In addition to providing
comfort to people, development activities to some extent affected country if the environment in
our country are not maintained properly. In order to fulfill the necessities of life, people
sometimes exploited and disrupted the ecosystem. Therefore, the role of vocational colleges
community are needed in helping to raise the environmental awareness among students through
the process of teaching and learning.
KEYWORDS
Environmental awareness, environmental education, vocational college students

1.0

Introduction
Environmental education is a process of learning about the environment that involves

human interaction with the environment and how should manage the environment wisely to
enhance the knowledge, understanding and awareness of the environment (Ministry of Education
Malaysia, 1998). This education should be nurtured as early as possible and an effective way to
foster environmental awareness through educational institutions such as vocational colleges.
Sustainability is a concept based on the integration of social, cultural, environmental and
economic considerations. Heading to the goals of sustainable development requires changes in

human attitudes and behavior in private life, in the community and in workplaces (Noratiqah
et.al, 2010). Success in making changes depends on education and training. Therefore, technical
and vocational education system should explore, understand and practice of the sustainability.
One of the way is to inculcating environmental awareness amongst vocational students.
Sustainability is embedded in the TVE curriculum to enlighten the students to be responsible for
the use of raw materials, energy, water and awareness of the impact of environmental production
process.

2.0

Objective
This paper aims to focus on concept of the sustainability of environment in terms of

knowledge, attitudes and practices, and how the environmental education can be applied among
college students in vocational college and to enhance the quality of life.

3.0

Materials and Methods

3.1. Material
In this paper, there were at least 15 articles reviewed. The articles were empirical and
meta-analytic review that are related to environment awareness. The journals were downloaded
with a cut off limit from 1990 to 2014. Books and online sources were also reviewed to get a
clear understanding about the concept of the sustainability of environment.

3.2. Methods
The articles were mainly downloaded using Universiti Teknologi Malaysia subscribed
data based. Science Direct was the frequently used. In addition, Google scholar was also
employed. The related journal articles on environmental awareness among students downloaded
with cut off limit from 1990 to 2014 only. The downloaded articles were then summarized and
organized in the following sections.

4.0

Table
Table 1 : Relationship between Humans and the Environment by some authors
No
.

Authors

Human
constrained by
environment
Environm
ent
Human

1
2

Noratiqah et. al (2010)

Gan Geok Hiong &

3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Tang Chai Sia (2012)

Cole (2003)
Hafizah et. al (2014)
UNESCO (2006)
Shahrom et. al (2008)
Mariani (2008)
Jamilah et. al (2011)
Kohut & Shriver

10
11
12
13

(1989)
Siti Rohani (2013)
Arcury (1990)
Ramsey et. al (1992)
Ibrahim (2005)

Human and
environment are
balanced
Human

Environm
ent

Environment
constrained by
human
Human

Environm
ent

Table 1 shows a summary of articles related to the relationship between humans and the
environment. Overall, what can be seen from the table shows humans are closely interlinked with
environmental and interdependence with other living organisms. Humans acquire the needs and
pleasures of life through a variety of ways. In order to fulfill the necessities of life, people
sometimes have exploited and disrupt the ecosystem. If all this is not controlled, it is not
impossible that one day we will not be able to enjoy fresh air, clean food, and comfortable place
to stay. Therefore people should avoid the destruction of wildlife, habitat and natural resources.

5.0

Results
First, the downloaded articles were analyzed on concept of environmental education.

Second, knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the environment and third, approaches to
inculcate environmental education.

5.1

Concept of Environmental Education

According to Mohd Yusop (2003), environmental education is an ongoing work towards

students to give them experience, knowledge and basic understanding about the environment and
the problems associated with it, nurture positive values and attitudes to love and protect the
environment, to continue the development of the country by using existing natural resources and
seek opportunities to be actively involved in solving environmental problems.

Knowledge of the environment should be understood by all society, especially the

students. According to Ahmad Badri Mohammad (1987), the main problems related to
environmental issues is the lack of knowledge because of human ignorance of the processes on
this earth. Research by Susan Pudin, Koji Tagi and Ambigavathi Periasamy (2005), found that
teachers do not have the full ability in implementing environmental education and not confident
and creative in developing environmental programs or activities. Krantz (2002) also found that
teachers only teach environmental topics or content that known to them only while difficult or
scientific topics are given less attention. This is because teachers do not have enough knowledge
and confidence to teach environmental education. Therefore, as teachers they need to implement
environmental education in all subjects taught to raise environmental awareness among
vocational college students.

5.2

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards the Environment

Higher education levels are more influenced the level of knowledge about environmental

issues. Environmental education can help the global community to recognize and understand
about the environmental issues and mastered the skills and determination to overcome and
maintain environmental quality. This is in line with behavior models of Kollmus and Agyeman
(2002), which states there is a linear relationship between knowledge, awareness, attitude and
behavior towards the environment specified in the pro-environment behavior model. The model
shown in Figure 1 provides knowledge about raising awareness and in turn will produce
individuals who have a more positive behavior towards the environment.

Figure 1 : Early Behavioral Pro-Environment Model by Kollmuss & Agyeman (2002)

Environmental
Knowledge
environmental
pollution
recycling
environmental
conservation
extinction of
wildlife
global warming
green house effect
thinning of the
ozone layer
climate change

Attitudes
towards the
environment

responsible
loving environment
collaboration
less use of energy
sources

Proenvironmental
behavior

formation of attitudes
motivation
commitment
develop skills
sensitivity

Achievements can be enhanced by the existence of attitudes that are always expecting
something to be achieved (Miller, 1995). According to Jantan (2000), the acceptance aspect is an
indicator of the positive attitude that serves as a central motivation for the overall student
achievement and help them to be more responsible. Environmental factors such as peer, school
and early experiences influence the attitudes of students (Dunn and Dunn, 2008). Thus, a good
working environment should be created among vocational college students to increase
environmental awareness of students.
According to Panitz (2009), to improve performance in environmental education,
individuals must change their attitudes. This is because the attitude is the main way to realize the
change oneself in order to ensure the durability of positive self towards excellence. Changes in
mood and thinking will change behavior (Lebar, 2000).

5.3

Approaches to Inculcate Awareness Education

According to Galloro (2002), there are various methods that can be used to inculcate

environmental education especially in Biology, Chemistry and Physics subjects. Diversity of

information related to the environment very easily obtained through printing, web, media and so
on. The uses of compact discs can facilitate teachers inculcate environmental education in
Science subjects. He also argues, teachers can provide an effective learning experience for
students and to improve the skills of inquiry and communication. Next, the students' attitudes
toward nature appreciation and understanding of the ecosystem and the impact of human
activities on the environment will also be improved. Implementation of environmental awareness
for vocational college students can be created while students do practical work in workshops.
Among the materials used they can reused it. In addition, they should isolate between materials
that can be used and can not be used.
Littledyke (1997) suggested teaching approaches for environmental education at the
tertiary level of education should emphasize the cognitive aspects. This involves knowledge,
gathering and interpreting information leading to the production of patterns, concepts and
generalizations to develop a thorough understanding of the environment.
Direct experience of the field study is an important tool in applying inculcate
environmental education (Krantz, 2002). Implementation of activities such as field studies,
visiting and laboratory studies that emphasize direct experience outside the classroom can
produce effective learning (UNESCO-UNEP, 1993).
Pudin (2006) suggest there should be a lot of teaching aids to enable teachers to use in
implementing the environmental education. Colorful and interesting teaching aids such as books

and posters for each environmental issues can enhance their knowledge and attitudes towards
environmental education. Students who have a positive attitude towards the environment always
show either pure attitude while in school or outside of school. Curriculum Development Centre
(PPK, 1998) have proposed several methods of implementing environmental education across
the curriculum, such as discussions, projects, and the inquiry findings. However, previous
literature review did not disclose the use of any specific teaching methods that can be used in the
implementation of environmental education. According to Thiagarajan (2000), although there is
the implementation of various programs, projects and activities related to environmental
education, but this does not continuous and no long-term planning and clear objective.
Environmental education should involve environmental issues in order to help students to
acquire the skills and knowledge required to be responsible to the environment. According to
Nadesan (2005), education about environmental education can be interpreted as relating to the
mind; education in environmental education as related to feelings; whereas for environmental
education can be seen as related educational practices to preserve the environment. Therefore,
environmental education emphasizes student involvement in the process of problem solving,
assignments and social issues. Environmental education also improve students' skills in critical
reflection and engage in the organization, whether individually or collectively.
Environmental problems has supported the integration of a variety of subjects, knowledge
and skills to solve environmental problems. Therefore, the use of skills and the same
conservative approach can not be practiced anymore because of environmental issues now
require different approaches according to the present era (Miller, 1991). De La Cruz (2000),
states that it is important to integrate environmental education into existing subjects so that it can
increase the level of awareness and insight for students on environmental issues. Therefore,

integration and implementation efforts of environmental education can be strengthened by the

existence of multi-party cooperation. This situation can create an educated generation to address
environmental problems and preserve the environment for harmony.

6.0

Discussion
Environment are all living and non-living things that occur naturally in the earth's

surface, or part thereof. The environment plays an important role in our daily lives. Unpolluted
environment gives us a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. In addition to providing comfort to
people, development activities can affected country if the environment in our country are not
maintained properly. Good hygiene practices are the demands of all religions. A clean
environment is essential to creating a healthy and prosperous life.
Environmental education is regarded as an environmental management tool for long term.
Unlike legal education, environmental education take a long time before the results as an
environmental management tool can actually be seen. Effective environmental education not
only to educate individuals to become good citizens, even the outcome of compliance and
adherence to the law and the country as a whole. Similarly, the spirit of love for the homeland
fertilization, taking into account aspects of environmental conservation and preservation of the
heritage of mankind.

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