Environmental Education for Sustainable Development: The Case of University of Cape Coast-Ghana

Aim: To determine students’ knowledge in greening, sustainable development and the readiness to embrace environmental education as part of the curricular in the different programs offered at the University of Cape Coast-Ghana as a way of preparing them well for future work.

Study Design: A survey was used for the study.

Place and Duration of Study: The University of Cape Coast from May to June 2015.

Methodology: A total of 270 students from 23 different departments of the University of Cape Coast were sampled and studied. A questionnaire was self-developed, pilot tested and distributed to the students. Their knowledge in sustainability, sustainable development, greening among others was assessed. Students’ interest in learning about environmental issues should it be introduced as part of the curriculum in different programs was sought.

Results: Out of the 270 questionnaires distributed, 254 were retrieved giving a response rate of 94%. There were 150 males and 104 females ranging from 19-33 years with a mean age of 23 years. Seventy-two percent of the students believed that the U.C.C. campus is green enough and 85% believed that there is a relationship between green and sustainability. About 87% welcomed the idea of adding environmental issues to the curricular of their respective programs and 83% suggested it be added to the curricular of all programs offered at the University.

Conclusion: Students may have a good idea of what green, sustainability and sustainable development are but their willingness to study environmental issues will help augment their knowledge in these. There is need for further work to validate how this gained knowledge will transcend into helping graduates secure jobs after graduation and reduce graduate unemployment.