Primary school pupils’ awareness of biodiversity and its conservation on the Maltese islands

Abstract

Studies show that knowledge about biodiversity and its conservation is benefetial if imparted in the primary years. The aims of this study are to investigate the knowledge that pupils in years 4, 5 and 6 have about the biodiversity of different species in the Maltese islands and about biodiversity conservation. This study was conducted using mixed methodology; qualitative data (focus groups) and quantitative data (questionnaires). 9 focus groups were conducted; 3 focus groups from 3 different schools; Church, Public and Private. Questions and images were used during these focus groups. 126 respondents took part in the questionnaire. The findings gathered from the study include that there is an overall higher awareness on biodiversity and its conservation from year 4 to year 6 throughout the whole study. From the findings one can see that the more knowledgeable students are, the less happy they are with society’s input towards biodiversity. Another finding was that the students attending the state school scored highest in knowledge about biodiversity and awareness of its conservation. Results also show that there is some uncertainty in junior years children about the importance that Maltese people give to biodiversity. Another finding is that most of them are happy with their school’s action towards biodiversity.