In the 21st century, environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity have become global challenges that threaten the well-being of current and future generations. Addressing these issues requires not only scientific and technological solutions but also a well-informed and environmentally responsible population. This makes environmental awareness and education a critical component of sustainable development.

Environmental awareness refers to the understanding of environmental issues, their causes and consequences, and the individual’s role in preserving the environment. It involves not only knowledge but also sensitivity and concern for nature. Environmental education, on the other hand, is a process that helps individuals gain a deeper understanding of environmental concepts, develop skills to address environmental challenges, and cultivate positive attitudes and responsible behaviours.

Higher secondary students represent a crucial group in this context, as they are at a stage where their values, attitudes, and behaviours are being shaped. Their level of awareness and attitude toward environmental education can significantly influence their future actions and decisions related to environmental conservation. Moreover, integrating environmental education effectively at the higher secondary level can foster a generation that is more ecologically literate and proactive in safeguarding the planet.

This study aims to explore the current level of environmental awareness among higher secondary students and examine their attitudes toward environmental education. Understanding these aspects will help educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers design more effective environmental programs that resonate with students and encourage active participation in environmental protection efforts.

Need and Significance of the Study

The increasing environmental degradation and the urgency of addressing ecological issues have made it imperative to nurture a generation that is conscious of environmental challenges and committed to sustainable practices. Environmental awareness and positive attitudes towards environmental education are essential for cultivating such responsible citizenship.

At the higher secondary level, students are at a critical juncture in their cognitive and moral development. This stage is ideal for instilling environmental values and shaping behavior patterns that are eco-friendly and sustainable. If students are made more aware of environmental issues and are positively inclined toward environmental education, they are likely to adopt and promote practices that contribute to environmental conservation.

However, despite the inclusion of environmental topics in school curricula, many students may still lack a deep understanding of ecological issues or fail to connect theoretical knowledge with real-life environmental practices. Therefore, it becomes necessary to assess the current status of environmental awareness and attitudes toward environmental education among higher secondary students. Such an assessment will help in identifying gaps in knowledge, misconceptions, and the effectiveness of existing environmental education efforts. In essence, this study will contribute to the larger goal of environmental sustainability by promoting awareness and fostering a constructive attitude among the youth, the future stewards of the environment. Hence, the investigator stated this problem as a study on Environmental Awareness and Attitude towards Environmental Education among Higher Secondary Students in Tirunelveli district.

Statement of the Problem

The statement of the problem is entitled “A Study on Environmental Awareness and Attitude towards Environmental Education among the Higher Secondary Students in Tirunelveli District”.

Objectives

1. To find out the level of environmental awareness of higher secondary students.
2. To find out the level of attitude towards environmental education of higher secondary students.
3. To find out the relationship between environmental awareness and attitude towards environmental education of higher secondary students.

Hypotheses

1. The environmental awareness among higher secondary students is at a moderate level.
2. The attitude towards environmental education among higher secondary students is at a moderate level.
3. There is no significant relationship between environmental awareness and attitude towards environmental education of higher secondary students.

Delimitations of the Study

• The present study is restricted to the Tirunelveli district.
• The sample has been limited to 300 higher secondary students.
• The present study is confined to only higher secondary students.
• The present study is limited to students of the age groups of 16, 17 and 18 only.

Review of Literature

A review of previous research provides a theoretical foundation and context for the present study. It helps identify gaps in knowledge and guides the direction of further inquiry.

Sharma (2010) conducted a study on the level of environmental awareness among secondary school students and found that although students possessed basic knowledge about pollution and conservation, their practical involvement in environmental protection was limited. The study emphasised the importance of experiential learning in environmental education.

Kumar and Choubey (2011) explored the environmental attitudes of higher secondary students and concluded that urban students exhibited more positive attitudes compared to their rural counterparts. The study suggested integrating more real-world environmental issues into classroom teaching.

Kaur (2013) investigated gender differences in environmental awareness among adolescents. The results showed that girls had a slightly higher level of environmental concern and sensitivity than boys. The study emphasised the role of school-based awareness campaigns in shaping attitudes.

Yadav and Mishra (2015) examined the relationship between environmental awareness and academic performance. The research indicated a positive correlation, suggesting that students with higher awareness levels tended to perform better academically, particularly in subjects like science and social studies.

Nagra and Dhillon (2016) studied the effectiveness of environmental education programs and found that students exposed to participatory and activity-based learning showed significantly higher awareness and more responsible behaviour compared to those taught through traditional lecture methods.

Singh and Malik (2018) assessed the attitude of higher secondary students towards environmental protection. The study concluded that students appreciated the importance of environmental conservation but often lacked opportunities for meaningful participation in ecological activities.

World Health Organisation (WHO, 2020) emphasised the role of environmental education in fostering health-conscious and environmentally responsible behaviour among youth, particularly in the context of increasing global environmental health threats.

Research Design and Methodology

Method

‘Descriptive survey’ method was used.

Population

The population in this study refers to all higher secondary students from the Tirunelveli district.

Sample

The sample of the investigation included 300 higher secondary students from the Tirunelveli district.

Sampling Technique

Stratified random sampling technique.

Tools

1. Environmental Awareness Scale (Developed by Neelammai and Kannan, 2024)
2. Attitude towards Environmental Education Scale (Developed by Balakrishnan and Biswas, 2006)

Statistical Techniques

1) Percentage analysis

2) Pearson’s product-moment correlation

Analysis of the Data

Hypothesis  1

The level of environmental awareness among higher secondary students is at a moderate level.

Table 1. Percentage analysis of environmental awareness among higher secondary students

Table 1 showed that 15.7 % of higher secondary students have shown low, 68 % of higher secondary students have shown moderate, and 16.3 % of higher secondary students have high level of environmental awareness.

Hypothesis  2

The level of Attitude towards environmental education among higher secondary students is at a moderate level.

Table 2. Percentage analysis of attitude towards environmental education among higher secondary students

Table 2 showed that 13.3 % of higher secondary students have shown low, 66.7 % of higher secondary students have shown moderate, and 20.0 % of higher secondary students have high level of Attitude towards environmental education.

Hypothesis  3

There is no significant correlation between environmental awareness and academic achievement of Mathematics among higher secondary students.

Table 3. Correlation between environmental awareness and attitude towards environmental education of higher secondary students

Table 3 shows that there is a very high correlation between environmental awareness and attitude towards environmental education of higher secondary students.

Findings of the study

Findings based on the level of Environmental Awareness and Attitude towards Environmental Education

1. The level of environmental awareness of higher secondary students were at a moderate level.
2. The level of attitude towards environmental education of higher secondary students were at a moderate level.

Findings based on correlation

3. A very high correlation was found between environmental awareness and attitude towards environmental education among higher secondary students.

Conclusion

The present study examined the relationship between environmental awareness and attitude towards environmental education among higher secondary students in Tirunelveli District. The findings revealed that both environmental awareness and attitude towards environmental education were at a moderate level. Furthermore, a very high positive correlation was observed between the two variables, indicating that environmental awareness significantly influences students’ attitudes towards environmental education.

The results highlight the need to strengthen environmental education practices in schools by moving beyond theoretical understanding and promoting experiential and action-oriented learning. Although students demonstrated a positive attitude towards environmental education, a gap remains between awareness and practical engagement in environmental conservation activities. Bridging this gap requires the integration of environmental concepts across disciplines, community-based initiatives, and interactive teaching strategies that inspire active participation.

The study underscores the vital role of schools, educators, and policymakers in fostering environmental responsibility among adolescents. By nurturing both awareness and positive attitudes at the higher secondary level, students can be empowered to adopt sustainable practices and contribute meaningfully to addressing present and future environmental challenges. Promoting a culture of environmental stewardship through education is therefore essential for achieving long-term sustainability and safeguarding the planet for generations to come.