Integration of Natural Resource Management in the Primary Education Curriculum in Kenya

Abstract

The Farmers of the Future (FoF) initiative implemented aprogramme of integrating natural resources management inthe basic education curriculum. The purpose of the study was todocument activities and determine the effects of FoF programmeon primary school learners’ perceptions towards natural resourcesmanagement by comparing learners involved in the FoFprogramme and those not involved. Further, comparison of perceptions by gender among learners involved in the FoF wasdone. The study employed an ex-post-facto design. The locationof the study was the western region of Kenya. The sample wascomposed of 120 learners and 6 teachers, making a total of 126respondents. This was in accordance with recommendations byKathuri and Pals (1993). The data were collected using questionnaires and analysed using t-test at alpha = 0.05. Theinstruments were validated by two experts in the Department ofAgricultural Education and Extension at Egerton University andone expert from ICRAF. Reliability was tested through pilottesting and indicated a reliability coefficient of 0.72 The findingsindicated that the FoF programme had a significant influence onlearners’ positive perceptions towards natural resources managementthus the programme forms an integral part in sustainable agriculture

Keywords

• Agricultural education
• Agroforestry
• Basic education
• Natural resources
• Perceptions.