Basic Challenges of Climate Change and Implications for Quality Education in Nigeria

Abstract

In recent years, climate change has received significant global attention. It presents a unique challenge to sustainable human development. The scientific evidence is clear that climate change is likely to have negative impacts on efforts to achieve Nigeria’s development objectives, including the targets set out in Nigeria Vision20:2020 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The objective of the paper is to examine the challenges of climate change and its implications on quality education in Nigeria educational system. The study is a survey carried out in three education zones in Ekiti State. A stratified random sampling technique was used to divide the State based on Ekiti North, Central and South senatorial districts, and from where a simple random sampling technique was employed to draw a sample of 900 teachers from 30 secondary schools in the state. Two research questions guided the study while a structured questionnaire made up of three sections was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using mean statistics. The findings of the study showed that climate change related problems adversely affect teaching and learning by causing lateness and absenteeism to school among teachers and students; destruction of buildings and learning materials; un-conducive learning environment among others. However, the study recommended that climate change should be integrated into secondary school curriculum while seminars, workshops, and conferences should be organized on adaptation and mitigation measures of climate change.

Keywords: Climate change, Quality education, Challenges, Sustainable development.