Implementing Environmental Education in Unplanned Settlements: A Case of Misisi and Kuku of Zambia’s Lusaka City

Abstract

The study aimed at finding prospects for the implementation of Environmental Education (EE) in Misisi and Kuku unplanned settlements of the city of Lusaka in Zambia. The main objective was to assess how existing environmental challenges in the selected settlements could be seen as prospects for the implementation of EE. The study further sought to investigate ways by which EE would be made more accessible to the inhabitants of these settlements. The research design was the descriptive survey. In selecting respondents, purposive sampling was used. The focus was on residents of Misisi and Kuku. To collect primary data, semi-structured interviews were used. This was supplemented by observations and focus group discussions on selected issues that needed clarifications. Data collected from the field was analysed using thematic analysis method and descriptive statistics. The study established that unplanned settlements experience a lot of environmental challenges which could help in the implementation of EE. Although residents of Misisi and Kuku carried out environmental interventions to address some of the challenges experienced, it was established that residents were less aware of Environmental Education. The study recommended that environmental challenges found in unplanned settlements were prospects for implementation of Environmental Education.