what are the factors that account for the poor performance of p[upils in environmental studies in Ghana?

Question

I'm a primary two teacher and investigating into the poor performance of pupils in Ghana so far as environmental studies is concerned.

Answer 1

The Gahnaian education system is very different from that in Western countries. Many children are unable to attend school and this is for a variety of reasons - there may not be a school anywhere near where they live, they may not be able to afford to go, they may not be able to go due to commitments at home such as subsistence farming or there may simply not be any places for them. Consequently a much smaller proportion of children receive a decent education than would be found in the US or other developed countries.

Secondly, the schools are very basic. There is none of the modern technology we have and in some places there isn't even a school - lessons being conducted in the shade of a tree.

The result of these and other factors being a comparatively poor performance in all subject areas.

With regard specifically to environmental studies. There is very little appreciation of the environment in whatever context you look at it. For example, every Ghanian knows that malaria is spread via mosquitos that breed in dirty, stagnant water yet they quite readily throw huge amounts of rubbish into water-courses causing them to become choked up, foul smelling breeding grounds for disease.

There is also very little appreciation of natural beauty. Ghana has some wonderful tropical beaches, pristine jungles, rolling hills and the biggest man made lake in the world (Lake Volta). In the US or Europe this would be prime real estate and tourists would flock there in droves but in Ghana it's of little significance. I once drove along a coastal road where the ocean rollers crashed onto golden palm tree lined beaches - the sort of place you or I would love to build a house but the local Ghanaians had built their houses just a few yards away in a dip that blocked all the views (not due to planning restrictions or any practical reason, just that an ocen view has little appeal to them).

A friend of mine is building a house and at the other end of the road, admitedly it's a 20 mile long road, is a stunning sandy beach with palm trees and a naturally sheltered bay. Despite having been there for 3 years he'd only once been to the beach.

There's also very little environmental awareness and little knowledge of the efects of pollution etc. It would be quite normal, for example, to dispose of old motor oil into a stream or burn foam, plastic or rubber as a way of disposing of it.

One of the lasting memories I have of my time in Ghana is just how dirty the place is. People keep their own homes and plots of land neat and tidy and will sweep the yard several times a day but they'll just sweep the rubbish into the street or into a stream.

Because there's so little environmental awareness for the immediate surroundings it follows that on a global scale there's going to be even less awareness.

I think the reason is that environmental issues come a long way down on a countries list of development priorities. Primary concerns are agriculture, healthcare and education. Once structures are in place that adequately provide these basic facilities then other areas can be looked into such as welfare, tourism, and commerce but it will be a long time before environmental concerns make it onto the aggenda.

In the western world we've been developing agriculture, health, education etc for hundreds of years and have only recently turned our attention to environmental matters (excepting Victorian Britain which was very forward thinking). In countries like Ghana they're still in the early stages of developing these primary systems. If and when the country becomes more prosperous and can provide adequately for it's citizens then it may be in a position to implement environmental studies.

I'm not an educationalist but I think it would be safe to say that Ghana isn't alone in it's poor levels of pupil performance in environmental studies. I would proffer that the situation be very similar in many other African and Asian countries and would suggest that there be a direct correlation between one countries advancement and prosperity and it's performance in the field of environmental studies (making an allowance for Western commercialisation that dictates profit before environment).

Answer 2

Children (worldwide) seem to be better than adults at detecting hysterical presentations, hypocrisy, and flights from common sense. Environmentalists and ecologists have done their causes almost irreparable harm by poor scientific method, extrapolating from insufficient data, short-sighted "solutions", and coercive implementation of same. This is exceptionally sad, as environment and ecology are crucially important to humanity and the other species with which we cohabit this planet.

Answer 3

poor enviorment at home and/or school.