Training Environmental Education Stakeholders for an Environment-Friendly Africa

Abstract

The author outlines the environmental problems confronting Nigeria and suggests that its condition is typical of the deteriorating environment of Sub-Saharan Africa. In this context he stresses the role of education and public enlightenment in the emergence of an environment-friendly society He then sets out the findings of a training needs assessment carried out in Nigeria for Coordinators of School Conservation Clubs and Programme Managers in State Environmental Protection Agencies. The study shows that in general these professionals are not yet adequately prepared for their roles in the implementation of the environmental education curricula and public awareness programmes. This lack of preparedness relates to (a) knowledge of the causes and consequences of major environmental problems, and the actions needed to correct or avert them; (b) adoption of appropriate training methods and techniques; and (c) the systematic use of a variety of instructional resources. Finally recommendations are offered for training the stakeholders in order to bring them to an acceptable level of competence in the identified areas of deficiency.