The Status of Environmental Issues in Selected Agricultural TVET Courses towards Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to assess whether the courses of Agricultural Technical Vocational
Education and Training (ATVET) colleges included environmental issues such as land
degradation, deforestation and depletion of biodiversity. In order to assess the courses, data were
gathered through curriculum analysis, questionnaires, interviews and, classrooms and sites
observations. Three curriculum guides were selected with sampling techniques from the three
departments that were included in the research. Three colleges were selected among the twentyfive
existing ATVET colleges. From the three colleges 53 instructors and 334 trainees were
participated. The data obtained through the various instruments were analyzed both
quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings showed that the courses are addressing
environmental issues especially land degradation. The teaching methods that are included in the
courses are appropriate to achieve the objectives included in the curriculum. However, it was
dominated by lecturing. The finding also showed that there is a statistically significant mean
difference between the achievement test scores of male (M=56.60, SD=12.655) and female
(M=49.24, SD=12.747), t(332)=4.227, p∠0.05. But there is no statistically significant mean
difference among colleges and departments in their level of awareness about natural resources
management. The finding also indicated that the trainees’ moral, capacity and courage to work in
rural areas were not satisfactory. And there is no appropriate criterion to select candidates for
ATVET colleges. The ATVET colleges are not well furnished and equipped to give adequate
services to the trainees. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that: future
curriculum revision might include clearly stated objectives, teaching and evaluation techniques
that are related to environmental education; focus should be given to training of teachers on how
to teach environmental issues; select candidates based on knowledge and competences; and
allocate enough spaces for demonstration sites of the colleges
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Keywords
Environmental