OCEAN LITERACY OF PRIMARY STUDENTS OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss2pp403-423

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Human impacts on marine ecosystems have recently intensified as the population and pressures increase. Human-originated pollutants of all kinds have impacted the oceans and marine ecosystems. Oil spills, sewage, plastics, chemicals, garbage, carbon dioxide, and overfishing are the most challenging issues. It is known that school students are the future generation; they receive their information at school. Therefore, it is essential to assess students' knowledge and awareness regarding ocean-related issues.

Methodology: Based on the seven ocean literacy principles, this study investigated the ocean literacy (OL) of primary school students at international schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Resources from which children get information about the oceans were also investigated. Finally, the study investigated the attitudes of primary school students towards learning oceanography, protecting the oceans, and the relationship between humans and the environment. A questionnaire had been adapted from the Survey of Ocean Literacy and Experience (SOLE) and the Survey of Ocean Stewardship (SOS). The SOLE and SOS surveys were originally developed by Greely (2008). However, due to students' grade level and time issues, the number of questionnaire items was reduced and simplified. The questionnaire was distributed in two separate sessions. Students from three international schools, boys' sections, received the survey. 120 students answered the SOLE, and 102 students answered the SOS.

Findings: The results indicated a rather moderate level of ocean literacy among participants, with a mean score of 12.56 (SD= 5.18) concerning the SOLE and a mean score of 3.30 (SD= 1.12) concerning the SOS. As for information resources, the results indicated that the education program was the students’ main source of education, and television channels came second.

Contributions: Students of Riyadh International Primary Schools showed a positive attitude toward ocean stewardship. The study can help policymakers, curriculum developers, and textbook authors better understand the level of ocean literacy among students and make decisions to develop school curricula, especially in the efforts to align with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). It also corresponds to the 2020-2030 vision in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Ocean Literacy level, ocean Sciences materials, Saudi Arabia learners' attitudes.

Author Biographies

  • Fadi Saad Aboulail, Centre of Fundamental and Continuing Education, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

    Fadi Saad Aboulail is a postgraduate student at the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu preparing for his masters degree. He received his bachelor’s degree of English Literature from the Damascus University, Syria in 2004. He is an English language teacher at international schools and academies in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. He also has experience in curriculum designing.

  • Azza Jauhar Ahmad Tajuddin, Centre of Fundamental and Continuing Education, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

    Azza Jauhar Ahmad Tajuddin is a lecturer at the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. She received her Bachelor of Education in TESOL from Moray House College of Education, University of Edinburgh; her Master of Education (TESL) at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and; PhD in Education from the University of Nottingham. Her teaching and research career has led her to empower herself and others to create a learned society by exploring community-based experiential learning.

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Published

2021-06-30

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2: Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

OCEAN LITERACY OF PRIMARY STUDENTS OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA. (2021). Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 6(2), 403-423. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss2pp403-423