Examination of climate change education among fifth and sixth-grade pupils in Koulikoro, Mali

Abstract

Education is an effective tool for influencing pupils’ perceptions and understanding of climate change, which impacts their pro-environmental behaviours in response to the adverse effects of climate change. This research employed a pre- and post-design to ex-amine fifth- and sixth-graders perceptions, knowledge, and motivations of climate change. A survey was used to examine pupils' perceptions, knowledge, and motivations regarding climate change among fifth- and sixth-graders, with a sample of 114 pupils randomly selected from two primary schools. The findings revealed that pupils currently have low perceptions of climate change and limited knowledge of its causes, impacts, mitigation, and adaptation. Pupils were less motivated to act on climate change. How-ever, they found it more important to learn about it. Following the climate change edu-cation, fifth- and sixth-graders reported increased perceptions, knowledge, and motiva-tions about climate change. This study contributes to addressing the gaps in climate change education by enhancing the climate change literacy of young minds, including their concerns, attitudes, and awareness, as well as their understanding of climate change causes, effects, and mitigation and adaptation strategies. The research appeals to all ed-ucational stakeholders to consider initiatives for climate change education among early learners.