Abstract

Environmental pollution is now a recurrent theme and a topical issue in the corridors of power. Awareness of environmental pollution was raised significantly at the well documented conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 under the auspices of the United Nations. This event was a game changer and signalled to the international community that action is needed to tackle the problem of environmental pollution at all levels. This study examined the extent to which the teaching and learning of English at upper primary school level has addressed the problem of pollution encountered in schools in the Jwaneng Primary Schools in Botswana. The study was undergirded by the behaviorists and social cognitive theory. The methodology for this study utilized the qualitative approach. An observation tool and focus group discussions were used as instruments for data collection. Data were collected among teachers of English and pupils at Upper Primary school levels in Jwaneng Township utilizing purposive sampling. Data obtained gave a consistent picture that participants were aware of the various forms of pollution such as water contamination, air pollution, and noise pollution and littering. Awareness about pollution has been promoted by debates on climate change which is now a global issue often tackled at summits where super powers like United States of America and China are expected to show the necessary leadership. The study revealed that inhalation of air polluted of polluted air cause many health hazards due to the negative effects on the organs of the body, including primarily the Respiratory system, circulatory system, heart, nervous system and brain. It was also found that there was lack of adequate materials and the textbooks in use did not reflect any significant content on Environmental Education (EE). It is therefore recommended that the Department of Curriculum Development consider to expand the scope of infusion of Environmental Education in English teaching and learning resources/materials.

Keywords: Environmental Education, Pollution, Primary school curriculum, Environmental sustainability, Infusion and Integration