Exploring the level of knowledge of sustainable solid waste management amongst school personnel in selected Chatsworth primary schools, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Schools generate a significant amount of waste and the success of encouraging SSWM practices at schools relies on the knowledge and awareness of key education stakeholders, such as school personnel. Moreover, schools play an important role in promoting ideas and strategies that encourage environmental responsibility. However, many primary schools have limitations linked to resources and infrastructure, and there are inconsistencies in school personnel’s knowledge and enactment of sustainable solid waste management strategies. These limitations emphasise the importance of further exploration of school personnel’s knowledge of sustainable solid waste management practices. School personnel who have limited knowledge of sustainable solid waste management practices are restricted in their attempts to nurture school environments that promote environmental responsibility. While research in the field highlights the importance of solid waste management in diverse educational environments, there is limited research that concentrates specifically on the knowledge levels of school personnel in primary schools. The aim of this study is to explore this gap in research in selected primary schools in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal. A purposive sampling method was used to select twelve primary schools located in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study was a mixed-method case study located within an interpretivist paradigm. Findings indicate that while school personnel acknowledged the importance of solid waste management, there are gaps in their implementation of particular strategies. Implementation of sustainable solid waste management practices differed across the participating schools. These findings provide valuable perspectives for the development of targeted workshops, education programmes, and policies to promote effective solid waste management practices within the school environment. It is recommended that targeted workshops and training programmes be conducted for school personnel to improve knowledge and encourage practical implementation of sustainable solid waste management practices in primary schools. If school personnel’s knowledge is improved this will promote the use of sustainable solid waste management practices at schools. Thereby reducing the amount of solid waste generated while fostering environmental responsibility.