EXPLORING SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ BELIEF AND ATTITUDE ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NORTHERN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the pattern of students’ belief about waste management in three dimensions which is belief about what to do with waste, belief about composting and belief about vermicomposting and its effect on students’ attitude towards waste management.    A total of 272 students aged 14 to16 years were involved in this study.  They are from five different schools which categorized as a rural and urban.  Data was collected by using questionnaire consisted 51 items divided into 3 subscales of belief: that is, Belief about what to do with waste (7 items), belief about composting (6 items), belief about vermicomposting (8 items)  and attitude towards waste management (30 items).  The data was analysed by using percentage, t-test, one way ANOVA and regression.  Findings revealed that students have a medium level of belief about waste, composting and vermicomposting.  A significant difference was found between belief about composting with the types of school and belief about waste with the types of house.  Belief about composting and vermicomposting were significant contributors to the students’ attitude towards waste management.  There are different patterns of belief between boys and girls.   

Key words: waste management, belief, attitude

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