Guidelines for the development of environmental teacher education in South Africa : a conceptual and contextual analysis

Aston, Peta

Guidelines for the development of environmental teacher education in South Africa : a conceptual and contextual analysis

Master Thesis

1992

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

The potential of teachers to educate for improved environments is powerful. It is urgent that this largely latent energy be translated into action in South Africa, where, despite significant political progress, the experience of the total environment for the majority of South Africans, is one of severe compromise. Environmental education for teachers is, therefore, considered to be an essential component of any strategy aimed at effecting environmental and societal reform in South Africa. Such education requires a clear conceptual basis if it is to be successfully applied in schools. Accordingly, a conceptual framework, informed by established theory in environmental education, and within a compatible paradigm of environmentalism, is developed. The framework is, however, primarily shaped by its contextual foundation in a South African environment of non-egalitarianism. International and local experience of environmental teacher education is evaluated against the demands of this conceptual approach. The opportunities and constraints of different types of implementation are examined, and it is concluded that to prescribe a strategy would be to contradict the fundamental aims of both environmental education and the present study. A process for the development of environmental teacher education is therefore designed and tested in lieu of a rigid formula for national imposition. This process is presented in the form of guidelines which promote a policy and procedure for introducing an environmental teacher education which represents the needs and strengths of local communities in South Africa. It is believed that unless such a strategy is pursued, the current and historic forces eroding people's learning and living environments throughout South Africa, will persist.