Influence of environmental education on conserving environment in Kenya, Case study Moiben constituency, Uasin Gishu county

Abstract

The importance of environmental education (EE) is well known globally among societies. Environmental education is gradually promoted as a sustainable tool in protection of the natural environment. This study aimed to survey the influence of environmental education on conserving natural environment in Moiben constituency. The main objective of the study was to establish the influence of informal, formal, indigenous and experiential education on environmental conservation and find out challenges in environmental conservation. The finding of the study broadened understanding of environmental education on environmental conservation. Survey research design was employed and the sample unit was heads of households in Moiben constituency. Simple random, systematic and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 373 head of households in Moiben Constituency who were administered with questionnaire. Interview guides were also employed. Research instruments for this research were questionnaires and interview guides. Validity was established by consulting experts from the department and colleagues. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data. The study established that, formal education cannot provide a platform for better conservation of natural resources because of its target population. This is because it does not give opportunity for the learner to have contact with the environment and make environmental conservation more practical, thus it is not flexible enough but improves learners’ knowledge and attitudes toward the environment. On the other hand, Informal education has articulated environmental conservation well enough because it is a more creative and flexible. Indigenous education is a part of peoples’ cultural and social identities, well-being, sustainable development and intellectual and cultural vitality which plays a crucial role for the successful conservation of the environment. It also safeguards the natural environment and resources which are under serious threat, through cultural taboos and their sanctions that help to check abuse of the environment at least among the local people. Experiential education helped the learners to know about their environment, to identify problems concerning the use of natural resources, to seek alternative solutions to environmental problems, and to be committed to taking action to alleviate these problems. The study concluded that, as opposed to other types of environmental education, experiential education helped the learners to know about their environment, to identify problems concerning the use of natural resources, to seek alternative solutions to environmental problems, and to be committed to taking action to alleviate these problems. The study therefore recommended that; Traditional institutions should provide considerable protection of ecosystems and biodiversity without governmental restrictions