Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2023)

Background: With the escalating concerns over environmental degradation, the role of education in shaping the environmental consciousness of future generations is paramount. This study investigates the impact of various teaching methodologies employed by secondary school teachers in India on fostering environmental awareness among students, alongside identifying the prevalent challenges in integrating environmental education into the curriculum.
Methodology: Employing a quantitative research design, the study involved administering a structured questionnaire to 500 secondary school students across diverse regions in India. The questionnaire assessed students' environmental awareness levels, the effectiveness of teaching methods, and the challenges teachers face in delivering environmental education. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and correlation analysis to explore the relationships between teaching methods, student awareness, and the challenges encountered.
Results: Preliminary findings indicate that while students exhibit moderate levels of environmental awareness and perceive the effectiveness of teaching methods as moderate, there is no significant difference in awareness levels across different teaching methods. Furthermore, challenges such as resource constraints, time limitations, and standardized testing pressures do not significantly impact the effectiveness of environmental education.
Conclusion: The study underscores the critical role of teachers in nurturing environmental awareness among secondary school students. Despite facing several systemic challenges, teachers employ a variety of methods to engage students with environmental issues. Addressing these challenges through targeted investments in resources, teacher training, and curriculum development could further enhance the efficacy of environmental education.