Macedonian students' ecological knowledge and level of information about the environment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the cognitive domain of students' environmental education (EE) in the Republic of North Macedonia. The main tasks of the study was (1) to compare the ecological knowledge and level of information between primary and secondary school students in the Macedonian context, and (2) to provide an analytical review ofthe findings. Two instruments were used to collect data from a sample of 1003 students from 37 primary and secondary schools in the Republic of North Macedonia. The results of the study suggested that the students in the sample have a low level of both ecological knowledge and ecological information. Students of secondary schools have a statistically higher level of ecological information. It is critical to a certain extent for empirical studies on environmental knowledge to be carried out in developing countries in order to incorporate the findings into the environmental policy development process. We need to develop curricula and programs that are suitable to the individual differences, needs, viewpoints, and abilities of the students. Curricula for environmental learning should contain all environmental components: natural systems, resources, and human resources. We must look at students' EE achievements in the context of the overall socioeconomic conditions in which we carry out the education process. In order to increase students' knowledge and level of information about the environment, activities should be arranged by various stakeholders, and not only by schools. Environmental education should be extended by using mass communication channels, especially the internet and media. ecological knowledge, ecological information, Republic of North Macedonia, schools, students.

Exploring Environmental Awareness, Knowledge, and Safety: A Comparative Study among Students in Montenegro and North Macedonia

“…The results of this study highlight notable differences in environmental awareness among students from Montenegro and North Macedonia, providing valuable insights into their perceptions and a itudes towards environmental issues. The obtained results indicating differences between students are similar to the findings of previous research in other countries [4,10,11,20,24,45,62].…”

“…Students typically exhibit a pro-environmental mindset, which is influenced by a variety of factors such as their level of comprehension, societal security, socio-economic background, and formal education [20]. However, their grasp of ecological concepts and information tends to be modest, with secondary school students marginally be er informed [45]. Although students express heightened concern regarding air pollution stemming from vehicular traffic, their awareness regarding issues of injury and violence remains conspicuously low [58].…”

“…Both countries have unique socio-cultural backgrounds and environmental contexts that shape the perceptions and a itudes of their inhabitants, particularly concerning environmental awareness, knowledge perception, and safety awareness among students [20,45]. Montenegro and North Macedonia face various environmental challenges, including issues related to waste management, air and water pollution, and natural resource conservation [18,58,59].…”

“…Montenegro and North Macedonia, two Balkan countries characterized by diverse landscapes and ecosystems, provide an intriguing backdrop for examining environmental a itudes and perceptions among the youth [41][42][43][44]. Despite sharing geographical proximity and similar environmental concerns, disparities in educational systems, cultural influences, and socioeconomic factors may shape distinct outlooks on environmental issues [20,45].…”