http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/451 Search the Channel search http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/simple-search http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/2896 Title: Conservation of Natural Resource for Sustainable Development: Assessing Students Awareness and Attitude in Northern Shewa Zone in Molale and Mehalmeda Schools <br/> <br/>Authors: Mazengia, Shimelis <br/> <br/>Abstract: The main objective of this study is to show whether or not the education currently given in schools has brought change in awareness and attitude among students to influence conservation of natural resources for sustainable development in Northern Shewa Zone in Molale and MehalMeda schools. More specifically to show the effect of schooling on conservation of natural resource for sustainable development, to assess student’s level of awareness about conservation of natural resource and issues related to natural resource problems, to assess student’s attitude about conservation of natural resource, to explore difference in awareness and attitude among students in terms of Gender difference, Place of residence (Urban and Rural) and Grade levels (grade nine and Eleven). The study incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods. Student’s text books that emphasize natural resource conservation were assessed from grade five to ten to assess whether or not student’s had the necessary environmental education in their formal learning. A field study was also conducted so as to generate primary data. An awareness test and attitude scale were developed and administered to investigate respondent’s awareness and attitude about environmental issues. About 565 students and 120 parent were took part. The selection of students in the study considers grade nine and grade eleven including male and female students both from rural and urban center. Similarly the selection of parent considers male and female both from rural and urban center. The result using one way analysis of variance indicates statistically significant difference both in awareness and attitude of respondents. Students are found less in their awareness and attitude about conservation of natural resource for sustainable development compared with those out of school parent. Thus it is concluded that the education currently given in schools has not brought the expected change in awareness and attitude among students to influence conservation of natural resource for sustainable development in the study area. Thu, 10 May 2012 14:10:16 GMT http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/2673 Title: Education in Pastoral Areas: Compatibility, Challenges and Policy Responses: The Case of Awash-Fentalle woreda, Afar Regional State <br/> <br/>Authors: Tsehaye, Zeray <br/> <br/>Abstract: Awash-Fentalle woreda, one of the pastoral and agro-pastoral areas in Afar regional state, is located in zone 3 and bordered by Amhara region in north western, Oromiya in west and south eastern and Amibara worwda in north eastern and east parte. The woreda has six administrative kebeles, with total population of about 48,750 (27,123 male and 21,627 female). Of this total population, it is estimated that 17403 is school aged and only 5478 (30%) is enrolled both in the formal and informal schools. furthermore, the share of Afar origin students is limited in 12% of the total enrolled ratio. The researcher had initiated to investigate the low educational enrollment, participation and continuity of the pastoral and agro pastoral children. The main intention of the study was to investigate the compatibility, challenges and policy responses of the educational practices in the pastoral and agropastoral areas of the woreda. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed in analyzing and describing the primary and secondary data collected from different sources. The overall findings of the study shows that, the education provision in the study areas of the woreda did not fit/compatible with the special features, livelihood systems of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. The type and facilities of schools, the curriculum developed, teacher’s familiarity to the pastoral environment, school incentives etc. did not fit with what the pastoralists need. The should be practical approaches and strategies, intended in the national and regional education polices did not in function/ practice. Hence the national, regional, and other voluntary NGOs should give greater emphasis, especially in the practicality of the polices and strategies provided. Sun, 06 May 2012 13:55:36 GMT http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/2283 Title: Farmers’ Awareness about Land Degradation and their Attitude towards Land Management Practices <br/> <br/>Authors: Anteneh, Gebremariam <br/> <br/>Abstract: Abstract The study examines farmers’ awareness about land degradation and their attitude towards land management practices in Aleta wondo woreda, Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia. With the use of structured questionnaire and interview schedule, a total of 219 farmers were surveyed for the study. The findings show that about 96% of the respondents were males while 64.0% of them either had primary or secondary education qualification and 36% had no formal education. All the respondents aware of soil erosion and deforestation about 92% and 85% were aware of over grazing and poor farming practices respectively. Only very few of the respondents were indicate absence of crop rotation, planting eucalyptus trees and lack of fertilizers as a cause of land degradation. The assessment of farmers’ awareness in the consequence of land degradation shows that all of the farmers in the study area have been aware of loss of agriculture production. The majority aware of increases the requirement of fertilizers, difficulty of farming and loss in livestock productivity which accounts 93.2%, 91.8% and 84.9%, respectively. Only very few of the respondents were aware that poverty and economic backwardness, migration and landlessness as a consequence of land degradation. The findings of farmers’ awareness in land management practices indicate that all of the respondents were aware of mixed cropping, organic manure (93.6%), closure of grazing land (93.2%), terracing (90.7%) and crop rotation (87.7%). While a very few of the respondents aware of contour plowing and fallowing. Information on land management practices was mostly obtained from fellow farmers and extension agents. Mixed cropping and organic manures were widely used land management practices in the study area. The survey showed that the respondents have favourable attitude towards land management practices. The findings also showed that there was a significant association between age and awareness in the causes and consequences of land degradation and land management practices. There were also statistically significant association between educational background and awareness about the issue of land degradation and management practices. In addition, statistically significant association was also found between age and attitude towards land management practices. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that there is a need of modifying educational/training programs which was provided for farmers by considering the existing knowledge and practices in a particular area. Thu, 03 May 2012 10:37:30 GMT http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/2247 Title: TEACHERS’ AWARENESS, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: THE CASE OF OROMO NATIONALITY ADMINISTRATION, AMHARA REGION <br/> <br/>Authors: AKLILU, DALELO (PhD) <br/> <br/>Abstract: This study focuses on the Upper Primary level teachers’ awareness, attitudes and practice of environmental education with particular reference to the Oromo Nationality Administration of the Amhara Region. It also comprises an assessment of the integration of environmental issues into the textbooks of Upper Primary level; examination of the extent to which various experiences contributed to the teachers’ environmental education knowledge, attitude and skills; and identification of the opportunities and constraints for teaching environmental education. Qualitative data generated from textbook analysis of two subjects and quantitative data gathered by a questionnaire from 120 participants randomly selected from 30 schools of three woredas were used for the study. The textbook analysis showed that environmental issues conceptually linked to environmental education are adequately integrated in the textbooks of civics and ethical education and most of the environmental issues of Ethiopia are covered in the English textbooks though the three strands of environmental literacy are not sufficiently balanced in both subjects. The study also revealed that teachers possessed positive attitudes towards both environmental issues and environmental education though there are indications that they lack the necessary awareness about several issues related to the environment and environmental education. It is evident that environmental education practices are limited to routine classroom activities. Extracurricular and out of school activities are almost neglected. The study further showed that the media and personal reading are the most important sources of information for the teachers’ knowledge, attitudes and skills of environmental education. The study revealed teachers’ pre-service training has inadequately prepared teachers for EE as a result of which, along with other factors, teachers feel less competent to teach EE. Even though there are several opportunities for teachers that enhance their EE, this study made it clear that teachers didn’t use all the opportunities effectively. It appears that heavy workload, lack of teaching resource materials, lack of training and time constraints are the major obstacles that hindered environmental education. In light of these findings, recommendations have been suggested for future improvement. Thu, 03 May 2012 08:44:20 GMT