ASSESSING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS IN PAKISTAN: A FOCUS ON FORESTATION FOR A GREEN FUTURE

Abstract

This study assesses the environmental awareness of prospective teachers in Pakistan, focusing on their knowledge and attitudes toward forestation and its role in environmental conservation. The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining a survey of 200 prospective teachers from universities in Islamabad and semi-structured interviews with 20 participants. The findings revealed that while a majority of participants were aware of the importance of forestation, many lacked in-depth knowledge regarding sustainable forestation practices and the broader environmental benefits of forests. The study highlighted significant gaps in teacher education, suggesting that prospective teachers would benefit from more comprehensive environmental training, particularly regarding forestation and climate change. Additionally, the results indicated a strong willingness among prospective teachers to incorporate environmental education into their future classrooms. This research underscores the importance of integrating practical, hands-on environmental education into teacher training programs to ensure future educators are adequately equipped to foster environmental awareness among students. The study concludes with recommendations for curriculum reform, gender-sensitive approaches, and collaboration with environmental organizations to enhance environmental education in teacher training