Integration of Environmental Concepts in Selected Intermediate Subjects in Public Elementary Schools, Division of Batangas City

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Caring for the environment is everyone's responsibility. It is one of the tasks of educators to make everyone aware of environmental issues and concerns. Teachers as the most influential persons in the lives of students can contribute to make the latter environmentally responsible for the protection and conservation of nature and in combatting climate change. This study explored the Level of Teachers' Environmental Awareness and the Extent of integrating Environmental Concepts in Selected intermediate Subjects in Public Elementary Schools, Division of Batangas City during S.Y. 2016-2017.

METHODS

The study used the descriptive method with questionnaires as the major data gathering tool. interviews among respondents and documentary analyses were conducted to supplement the data obtained from questionnaires. A total of two hundred twenty-three (223) respondents were selected through universal sampling.

RESULTS

Teachers in AP were very much aware about proper waste management while teachers in Mathematics, Filipino, EPP, and English were much aware of the importance of the protection of public health, safety, and environmental quality. on the extent of integration of environmental concepts in terms of natural phenomena, the respondents teaching English, Mathematics and Filipino had great extent. The AP and EPP which are subjects taught for 40 minutes depict very great extent. As to biodiversity a great extent on its entire composite means. It sums up all the subjects under the study. on environmental responsibility, teachers in English, Filipino, AP and EPP depicts the verbal interpretation to a very great extent, while great extent for those in Mathematics. Teachers in English, Filipino, EPP and AP had a very great extent as to solid waste management while great extent in Math. It was therefore concluded that Araling Panlipunan teachers were very much aware of environmental concepts and principles, while English, Mathematics, Filipino, and EPP teachers were much aware of it.

DISCUSSIONS

Most of the subject teachers integrated to a very great extent environmental responsibility, natural phenomena, biodiversity, and solid waste management into their subjects, except Math which was done to a great extent. The main concerns of many teacher-respondents were their time of downloading videos on erosion and other environmental issues as well as their knowledge about legal bases of quarrying. The proposed supplementary materials focused on the concerns of teachers about environmental issues and weak findings. It is recommended that the supplementary materials may be shown to supervisors and school heads for the latter’s suggestions before using the same in school. The school head may inform the Mathematics teachers to give more time in integrating environmental concepts while teaching the principles of the subject. A similar study may be conducted using other environmental concepts and research designs.