Extent Environmental Waste Management Challenges Affect Pupils’ Learning in Selected Public Schools in Kitwe District, Zambia

The study examined the extent challenges of environmental waste management affect pupils’ learning in selected public schools in Kitwe district, Zambia. The constant soaring heaps of waste dumped illogically near and around some of the schools motivated the study. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the extent challenges of waste management affect pupils’ learning whereby “pupils’ learning” imply pupils’ ability to attend school, to stay in school long enough, to participate in both class and outdoor activities with much attention …. The study answered 5 research questions and tested the null hypotheses to ascertain the relationship between the variables. The theories adopted include Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, Ajzen & Fishbein’s Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behaviour including the behavioural change model by Akintunde. The study adopted a mixed research approach and 5 public schools were sampled purposively. The total sample size of the study was 100 and the participants included 30 teachers, 30 pupils and 24 community members in addition to 5 Councillors, 8 Ward Development Committee members and 3 public health workers from Kitwe City Council. Simple random sampling technique was used to select teachers, pupils and community members whereas Councillors, WDCs and public health workers were selected purposively. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using Excel and STATA while qualitative data was collected using interview schedules and analysed thematically. The findings revealed that, waste management faced many challenges and that the extent these challenges affected pupils’ learning was high as uncollected garbage, filthy surroundings, rising heaps of waste reportedly disfigured the environment and escalated germ and disease transmission. Among the named challenges was pollution, odours, fly infestation and blocked drainages, which caused floods and other health hazards such as injuries and contamination. We failed to reject the null hypotheses because the p value was greater than 0.05 significant level of acceptance. The study thus, recommended heightened sensitisation and knowledge advancement on how waste management challenges affect learning. The Ministry of education should ensure pupils were protected from abuse by describing in clear terms, behaviours and works amounting to abuse. There should be collaboration among stakeholders; communities, city councils and schools to oversee the implementation of by-laws that would protect schools from insensitive waste disposal practices…