The teachers’ perceptions on environmental education play a key role on how students learn, retain and apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills in changing their perceptions of their environment. This also enhances their achievement in environmental education. This study was designed to investigate the effects of teachers’ perceptions on students’ perceptions and achievement in environmental education in Gilgil Sub-county of Nakuru County, Kenya. A causal comparative survey research design was used for this study. Purposive sampling was used to identify the secondary school category and the class level that formed the study sample. The sample size was composed of 150 form three biology students who had been taught the topic ecology in biology and 20 biology teachers. Three instruments namely, Students’ Questionnaire (SPEEQ), the Teachers’ Questionnaire (TPEEQ) and an achievement test (EAT) were used to collect data. Five experts in biology education validated the instruments developed. Reliability of the instruments was computed using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and values of 0.93 for SPEEQ, 0.80 for TPEEQ and 0.87 for EAT were obtained. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of data. The t-test and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient were used to analyse the data. The data collected were analysed with the help of the statistical package for social science (SPSS). The alpha level for the rejection or acceptance of the hypotheses was at 0.05. The results showed that both teachers and students had a good perception in environmental education (EE). It was found that, there is no statistically significant relationship between biology students’ perception of their environment and EE and their achievement in EE. There is no statistically significant gender difference in students’ perceptions and achievement in EE. There is no statistically significant relationship between biology teachers’ perceptions in EE and the students’ achievement in EE. The findings further indicated that teachers have no regular in-service training in EE. It was hoped that the findings of this study would help EE teacher trainers to evaluate the teacher-training curriculum and therefore form a basis for evaluating the present EE teacher-training curriculum.

Abuhmaid, Appleton, K. & Asoko, H. (1996). A case study of teachers’ progress towards using a constructive view of   learning to improve teaching in elementary science. Science Education, 80(2), 165-180.

Baez, A.V., (1987). Science, technology and environment. In Baez, A.V., Knamiller, G.W. & Smyth, J.C. (Ed), The environment and science and technology education. New York: Pergamon Press. 

Caillods. F & Gottelmann-Duret, G. (1997). Science education and development IIEP seminar paper, 15 (2) 11-2

Carin, A .A.,Bass, J.E.& Contant, T.L. (2003). Methods for teaching science as an inquiry 9th Ed. New Jersey: Pearson Merrill PrenticeHall.

Cohen, L. & Manion, L. (1987). Research methods in education (2nd Ed). London: Croom Helm.

Covert, G., Garntson, E. &Obrycki, J. (2004). Environmental education of high school and elementary students. Available on the internet at- covertgm@muohio.educ on 10/7/04.

Cutter, A. (2001). Ganging primary school teachers environmental literacy, Rockhampton, Queensland: Central Queensland University. Pg 2-6. Available on the internet at- file://A:\CHAPTER ONE.htm.7/11/2004

Filho, W.D.L. (1993). Field studies as a technique for EE in developed and developing nations. In Hale, M. (Ed), Ecology in education, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Fraenkel, J.R.  & Warren, N.E. (1990). How to design and evaluate research in education, New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.

Freedman, B. (1995), Environmental ecology: Ecological effects of pollution, disturbance and other stresses. London: Academic Press limited.

Gall, M.D., Borg, W.R. & Gall, J.P. (1996).  Educational research, An introduction. New York: Longman Publishers.

Getao, C. (1999). Environmental planning and management for the 21st Century. Unpublished Papers Presented during a Workshop held at Environmental Education Centre, Nairobi 11th – 13th March, 1999.

Good,L.T.& Brophy. J. (1995). Comtemporary educational psychology. 5th Edition. Longman Publishers USA

Goodrum, G., Hackling, M. & Rennie, L. (2000). The status and quality of teaching and learning of science in Australian schools. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.

Hale, M. (1993). Ecology and environmental education in urban environment. In Hale, M. (Ed), Ecology in education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hale, M. & Hardie, J. (1993). Ecology and environmental education in Britain. In Hale, M. (Ed), Ecology in education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Harvey, M. R. (1993). Learning through contact with vegetation. In Hale, M. (Ed), Ecology in education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Kanhasuwan, L. & Webb, J. (1987). Project for elementary and secondary schools level. In Baez, A.V., Knamiller, G.W. & Smyth, J.C. (Ed), The environment and science and technology education.  New York: Pergamon Press.

Kathuri, N.J. & Pals, G. (1993). Introduction to educational research. Njoro: Egerton University Education Material Centre.

Kenya Institute of Education (KIE), (1998). Secondary biology and biological sciences, book three (2nd Ed) . Nairobi: Kenya Literature Bureau.

Kenya Institute of Education (KIE), (2002). The secondary school syllabus, Vol.2. Nairobi: KIE.

Khoshoo,T.N.(1987). Perspectives in environmental management. New Delhi: Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. P.V.T. ltd.

KIE (1997). Environmental education. Source book for primary teacher education in Kenya. (pp 15-18). Nairobi: SESP

Komba Margazine, (2005). Issue no.3-2005, (pp21-23). WCK, Geeska Printing Press: Nairobi.

K’Omudho, B. (1999). History of EE in Kenya, the huddles that the National Environment Secretariat (NES) has had to overcome and measures that need to be taken to ensure that values, behaviour and attitude of people are charged. Unpublished paper presented at a workshop held Environmental Education Centre, Nairobi on 11th – 13th March 1999.

Krasilchic, M. (1987). Some problems and perspectives of environmental education in the schools. In Baez, A.V., Knamiller, G.W. & Smyth, J.C. (Ed), The environment and science and technology education. New York: Pergamon Press.

Manjengwa, J.M. (1998). EE for sustainable development in secondary schools in Zimbabwe, A focus on gender difference. The International Journal of EE and Information. 17(1), 17-25.

Marsh II, G.E. (2003). Available on the internet at- File://C:\Keraro\Constructivism.htm. on 1/13/2003  (p.13 of 22).

Muchiri, J.M. (1996). Secondary school administrators, agriculture and teachers perceptions of agriculture. Unpublished M.S.c Thesis. Njoro: Egerton  Universtity.

Mugenda, O.M. & Mugenda, A.G. (1999). Research methods, quantitative and qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS).

Murgor, B. (1999). The position of the inspectorate of schools on environmental education. Unpublished paper presented at a workshop held at Environmental Education Centre, Nairobi on 11th – 13th March 1999. 

Musyoki, Z. (2003). Use of active learning framework to address environmental issues and risks. Unpublished paper presented at a workshop  held at AFEW Kenya Ltd, Giraffe Center Nairobi August 18-20, 2003.

Neshamba, F. (1999). Sustaining environmental action learning programs. Unpublished paper presented during a workshop held at Environmental Education Centre, Nairobi (EECN). 11th – 13th March, 1999.

Novak, J.D. (1981). Applying learning psychology and philosophy of science to biology teaching. The American Biology Teacher.Vol. 43 No. 1. (pp 12-20).

Njuguna, M. (2005, March 17). Human activity deciminates fish in Lake Naivasha. The Daily Nation pp. 28-29. Nairobi: Nation Media Group.

Ombech, A.N. (1991). Teaching environmental education. In Otiende, J.E., Ezaza, W.P. and Boisvert, R. (Eds), An introduction to environmental education. Nairobi:  Nairobi University Press.

Otiende, J.E., Ezaza, W.P,& Boisvert, R. (1991) (Eds), An introduction to environmental education. Nairobi: Nairobi University Press.

Otiende, J.E. (1991). Environmental education in perspective. In Otiende, J.E., Ezaza, W.P. and Boisvert, R. (Eds), An Introduction to environmental education. Nairobi: Nairobi University Press.

Roberta, B. & Cardinale, L. (1991). Are females invisible students? An investigation of teacher student question interaction. School Science and Mathematics, 91(7), 306-310.

Roger P.K. Ho. (1998). Perceptions of environmental education amongst primary and secondary school teachers in Nairobi, Kenya. The International Journal of EE and Information, 17 (1), 71-90.

Rugumayo, E. (1987). Key issues in environmental education. In Baez, A.V., Knamiller, G. W. & Smyth, J.C. (Ed), The environment and science and technology education. New York: Pergamon Press.

Science curriculum framework (2004). Available on the internet at- File://A:\K-12 Science Curriculum Framework.htm. on 7/11/2004

Soerjani, M. (1993). Ecological education as a basis to environmental education in Indonesia. In Hale, M. (Ed), Ecology in education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Swaminathan, M.S. (1987). Education, environment and livelihood security. In Baez, A.V., Knamiller, G.W. & Smyth, J.C. (Ed), The environment and science and technology education. New York: Pergamon Press.

Sytnik, K..M. (1985). Living in the environment: A source book for environmental education. UNESCO: Nankora Dumka Publishers.

Thorndike, R. L. & Thorndike, R. M. (1994). Reliability in education and psychology measurements. In Husen, T. & Postleth-Waite, T. W. (Eds), The International Encyclopaedia of Education. Vol. II 2nd Ed. Boulevard: Pergamon.

 Tilling, S.M. (1993). Ecology education and field studies: Historical trends and some present day influences in Britain. In Hale, M. (Ed), Ecology in education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Trowbridge, L.W., Bybee, R.W & Powell, J.C. (2004). Teaching secondary school science strategies for developing scientific inquiry. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. Merrill PrenticeHall.

Tsuma, O.G. (1998). Science education in the African context. Nairobi: Jomo  Kenyatta Foundation.

UNEP.  (1988). System–wide medium term environment program for the period 1990 – 1995. Nairobi: UNEP.

UNESCO UNEP IEEP no. 5. (1986). Environmental education module for pre-service training of teachers and supervisors for primary schools. UNESCO.

UNESCO UNEP IEEP no. 8. (1986). Environmental education module for in-service training of science teachers and supervisors for secondary schools. UNESCO.

 UNESCO UNEP IEEP no. 25. (1987). Strategies for the training of teachers in environmental education. UNESCO.

Vulliany, G. (1987). Teaching for the environment in the third world schools. In Baez, A.V., Knamiller, G.W. & Smyth, J.C. (Ed), The environment and science and technology education. New York: Pergamon Press.

Young, A.J.& Maggs, J.E. (1987). Issue based learning at primary level. In Baez, A.V., Knamiller, G.W. & Smyth, J.C. (Ed), The environment and science and technology education. New York: Pergamon Press.