Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of environmental education on environmental conservation in Kenya with the case study been Kinangop Constituency. In regard to this objective, the study set to evaluate whether the environmental knowledge gained from formal education as given by the Kenyan education system was of any benefit to environmental conservation. It also set to establish whether other forms of environmental education enhanced environmental conservation. The results of the study would then be used to make future amendments and reviews on the current environmental education strategies that are offered in
Kenya. The study used a sample of 150 respondents, both male and female from the area of study. Questionnaires were designed for the respondents as the main tool for data collection. The data was then analyzed using qualitative and quantitative means such as mean and frequency table. The study established that formal education as is given by the Kenyan education system has been of huge impact in ensuring that there was better conservation of the natural environment. This was explained to be a result of recipients of these forms of education having a chance to be exposed to other forms of education that provided direct contact with the environment such as through field trips and excursions. The other forms of education that were provided for boosted what was learnt in class. The study established that other forms of education such as civic education and trips helped learners gain an opportunity to interact with the environment, which made environmental education more practical. Civic education means that the people get learn various things openly through environmental organizations where they were able to gain knowledge on things such as better waste management, use of alternative energy sources and tree planting. Indigenous education which is considered part of the people’s cultural practices has helped in environmental conservation in the sense that the existence of taboos and social practices served as checks against the damage of the natural environment such as tree cutting. The study concluded that the current forms of environmental education are of benefit to environmental conservation efforts both at the constituency and national level. The study therefore recommended that; for environmental education to remain viable, it should ensure that students gain knowledge and skills that boost environmental literacy and practical environmental conservation. It was also recommended that environmental education be introduced as a subject on its own in schools for it to be more effective. The final recommendation was that traditional institutions be left to provide considerable levels of environmental protection for indigenous education to be viewed as more effective.
