Keywords: Solid waste disposal, awareness, High school students, Human health

Transcription

1 AWARENESS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Mrs.SUJATHA.S Asst. Professor in Physics Nazareth College of Education for Women Avadi Chennai-62 ABSTRACT Environmental problems like solid waste disposal begin with people as the cause and end with the people as victims. Although development is necessary for man, it should be sustainable. Hence growing awareness among the people is discernible to maintain ecological balance for the future generations. The safe disposal of wastes is the need of the hour, to protect human health and the environment from the potential hazards of inappropriate waste disposal. Students as the future citizens of nation should also actively participate in solving environment related problems. They must be aware that environment problems are Global problems. Hence awareness on safe disposal of solid wastes would help them protect the quality of environment. The present study focuses on finding the awareness of high school students on solid waste disposal. The study is based on survey method. The sample of high school students is selected from ten schools, five Matric and five Government schools in Avadi.The total sample size is 300 using stratified Random Sampling. A Tool was prepared consisting of questions on both awareness and execution of solid waste disposal.a pilot study was conducted. Validity and reliability of the tool was also found. The scores were tabulated and statistical analysis t-test was done.the analysis of data using paired T-tests indicated differences in levels of awareness about solid waste disposal across gender and types of school. Based on the results of the above study there is a need for awareness among students.the paper emphasizes that environmental education in schools must be given equal importance like other conventional subjects. Students as future citizens must be encouraged in eco- friendly activities for solving environmental problems. Keywords: Solid waste disposal, awareness, High school students, Human health INTRODUCTION Rapid industrialization and urbanization without due regard to environmental consideration are leading to extensive environmental degradation. The materials consumed during these activities reduce 65

2 non-renewable resources and generate wastes. Our basic survival on earth is threatened by the deterioration of environment. Hence there is an indispensable need on the awareness and knowledge about solid waste disposal. NEED FOR THE STUDY The awareness of solid waste disposal would definitely help to reduce environmental degradation. The health hazards due to air, water and soil pollution will deteriorate nation's economy and development. Hence Awareness of solid waste Disposal is essential among students because the theoretical knowledge of natural and manipulated environment will help them in identifying the problems and finding solutions in improving the quality of the environment for the future generations. The basic understanding of environment helps in sustainable development. In fact today's waste is considered as tomorrow's raw material. Proper disposal and utilization of waste is of Global concern to solve environmental problems. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1. To study the various aspects of solid waste disposal. 2. To study how far the students are aware of different sources of solid wastes. 3. To study if the students are able to distinguish and identify the properties of Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable wastes. 4. To study the ability of students in proper disposal of wastes in improving their own environmental situations 5. To study their understanding of problems associated with unsafe disposal. 6.To study if they have identified solutions to environment problems caused by solid wastes. METHODOLOGY Survey method was used in the study which is concerned with finding the awareness of solid waste disposal among students. 66

3 SAMPLING The sample of high school students is selected from ten schools, five Matric and five Government schools in Avadi.The total sample size is 300 using stratified Random Sampling. TOOLS USED FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA The tool prepared to collect data was a questionnaire, which contained questions on both awareness and execution of solid waste disposal. The questionnaire was given for expert's opinion and then a pilot study was made to twenty students of Nazareth Matric Hr. Sec. School and twenty students of Government Girls Hr. Sec. School of Avadi. The reliability and the final validity of the tool was found. ANALYSIS OF THE DATA TABLE- I Hypothesis 1- There is no significant difference between the students studying in Government and Matric schools, in their Type of School N M S.D Calculated 't' Government Matric Table at 0.05 level From the above table, it is inferred that the calculated t- (3.954) is more than the table at 0.05 level (1.96), hence the null hypothesis is rejected. The students of Government schools are found to have more awareness about solid waste disposal than students of Matric Schools TABLE II Hypothesis 2-There is no significant difference between the Boys and Girls in their awareness about solid waste disposal. 67

4 Gender N M S.D Calculated 't' Boys Girls Table at 0.05 level From the above table, it is inferred that, the calculated t- (2.324) is more than the table at 0.05 level (1.96), hence the null hypothesis is rejected. The Girls are found to have more awareness than boys about solid waste disposal. TABLE III Hypothesis 3- There is no significant difference between the boys studying in Schools in their awareness about solid waste disposal. Government and Matric Matric School N M S.D Calculated 't' Table at 0.05 level Boys Girls From the above table, it is inferred that, the calculated t - (1.370) is less than the table at 0.05 level (1.96), hence the null hypothesis is accepted. There is no significant difference between Boys and Girls of Matric Schools, in their awareness on solid waste disposal. TABLE - IV Hypothesis 4- There is no significant difference between the girls studying in schools, in their Government and Matric Government School N M S.D Calculated 't' Table at 0.05 level Boys Girls

5 From the above table, it is inferred that, the calculated t- (3.877) is more than the table at 0.05 level (1.96), hence the null hypotheses is rejected. The Girls of Government schools are found to have more awareness about solid waste disposal than Boys of Government Schools TABLE - V Hypothesis 5- There is no significant difference among the boys and girls of their awareness of solid waste disposal. Government schools in Boys N M S.D Calculated 't' Table at 0.05 level Government Matric From the above table, it is inferred that, the calculated t- (2.053) is more than the table at 0.05, level (1.96), hence the null hypothesis is rejected. The Boys of Government schools are found to have more awareness about solid waste disposal than Boys of Matric Schools TABLE VI Hypothesis 6- There is no significant difference among the boys and girls of Matric. Schools in their awareness of solid waste disposal Girls N M S.D Calculated 't' Table at 0.05 level Government Matric From the above table, it is inferred that, the calculated t- (3.448) is more than the table at 0.05 level (1.96), hence the null hypothesis is rejected. The Girls of Government schools are found to have more awareness about solid waste disposal than Girls of Matric Schools. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY 1.There is a significant difference between the students of Government and Matric schools in their 69

6 2.There is a significant difference between the Boys and Girls in their awareness about solid waste disposal. CONCLUSION 3.There is no significant difference between the Boys and Girls of Matric schools in their 4.There is a significant difference between the Boys and Girls of Government Schools in their 5.There is a significant difference between the Boys of Government and Matric Schools in their 6.There is a significant difference between the Girls of Government and Matric schools in their There was a significant difference in the other five hypotheses framed except hypothesis III, where the awareness among Boys and Girls of Matric School was not significantly different. Thus on analysis and interpretation of the collected data the null hypothesis was accepted for hypothesis - III and rejected for the remaining five hypotheses. 70