IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS THE PROPER DISPOSAL OF TOXIC WASTE

This study was carried out to identify the impact of environmental club on the knowledge and attitude of students towards the proper disposal of toxic waste. Four research questions and two hypotheses were raised and analyzed for the purpose of the study. A random sampling technique was used in selection of forty (40) students which would be drawn from all SS2 and SS3 students in Bravura Crestview Benin City were randomly selected for the study. The data were collected with questionnaire instrument and analyzed using simple percentage. The result revealed that; the knowledge level of SS2 and SS3 students in Bravura Crestview towards toxic waste is relatively high, students in Bravura Crestview are aware of effective mechanisms for toxic waste management, they know about the complications of improper waste management and they worry about toxic waste around their school and home environments, finally, the study revealed that the students had a positive attitude towards toxic waste, as it was obvious that they know that improper toxic waste disposal is a threat to the environment, and they also have a role to minimize the toxic waste. Based on the results, it was recommended that environmental education should be taught as a subject of its own from the UBE level and not infused into other subjects with a view to emphasize its relevance and significance in our contemporary society, educational campaign on toxic waste management is highly recommended. This awareness campaign should be targeted at all actors/ stakeholders by teaching them the mechanisms of toxic waste at the source, introducing alternative proper toxic waste management and also the negative effects of improper toxic waste management, efforts should be intensified to establish environmental protection/ conservation clubs in all schools including public and private, and environmental education should be introduced in teacher training institution (at both NCE and degree levels) to produce qualified personnel to teach environmental education in our schools.