Individual knowledge acquisition by teachers to promote the ecological value of sacred Kaya forests in southern Kenya

Environmental education remains underprioritized in Kenyan schools, with only one-third of teachers incorporating such topics into their lessons. A study found that teachers who had received environmental education themselves were more likely to integrate it into their teaching. However, there was a notable lack of emphasis on the conservation of Kaya forests for their spiritual heritage. Only those teachers with a personal connection to the local culture and Kaya forests recognized their high biological and cultural significance, underscoring the importance of integrating culturally relevant content in environmental education. The study recommends increasing the priority of environmental education in school curricula to foster awareness and preserve both biological and cultural diversity.

Habel, J., Nowotny, L., & Ulrich, W. (2025). Individual knowledge acquisition by teachers to promote the ecological value of sacred Kaya forests in southern Kenya. Ecology and Society, 30(2). https://doi.org/10.5751/es-16005-300227