Turtle Awareness Program: A preliminary study on primary school students’ knowledge on turtle conservation in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia is blessed with 22 species of turtles and tortoises; including marine and freshwater turtles. Unfortunately, these species are severely threatened, eventually leading to loss of population. Thus, Turtle Awareness Programme (Turtle Camp) was initiated to spread turtle conservation awareness by providing opportunities especially for students and teachers to acquire knowledge of turtles in Malaysia and the environment beyond what is taught in school syllabus. This study aims to determine the impact of the programme on students’ knowledge about turtle conservation in 14 primary schools in Kemaman district, Terengganu, Malaysia from 2016-2019. To collect data, students’ knowledge tests using survey questionnaires were conducted before and after the programme. Majority of students (66.11%) achieved the highest score range (80-100) after the post-test. The level of knowledge acquired by students in the relevant themes (taxonomy, diversity, diet, reproduction and conservation awareness) also significantly improved after the programme. Thus, the awareness program had positively contributed in enhancing the knowledge of students on turtle conservation awareness. More depth evaluations of programme such as motivation and behavioural change and systematic educational module should be developed and tested out to ensure continuity and effectiveness of the programmes in the future.