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Environmental education in Singapore: An analysis of environmental knowledge in the lower secondary geography curriculum
Citation
Ying, Y. J. (2020). Environmental education in Singapore: An analysis of environmental knowledge in the lower secondary geography curriculum. HSSE Online, 9(1), 24-38. https://hsseonline.nie.edu.sg/journal/volume-9-issue-1-2020/environmental-education-singapore-analysis-environmental-knowledge
Author
Ying, Yee Jie
Abstract
Geography is a discipline believed to be a potential platform for the delivery of Environmental Education (EE) in Singapore. Most local research investigating EE in schools reveals a gap between students’ ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’ in relation to the environment. This naturally calls for attention towards raising environmental knowledge (EK) among students such that they can be empowered to act for the environment. However, what exactly do we mean by EK in the geography discipline? This paper examines the cognitive aspect of EE by creating a framework to analyse the form of EK present in the Singapore’s Lower Secondary Geography curriculum. The main finding shows that the curriculum reflects positive strides towards the incorporation of EK although the disproportionate emphasis of the EK dimensions might impede the effectiveness of instigating environmental actions among students. It is argued that to achieve the desired outcome of geography education - one that promotes responsible environmental stewards through EE - there needs to be serious considerations of what sorts of EK geography teaching and learning should emphasise.
Date Issued
2020
Publisher
National Institute of Education (Singapore)
Journal
HSSE Online
Funding Agency
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore