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Episodes 2024; 47(4): 709-721

Published online December 1, 2024

https://doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/2024/02404s04

Copyright © International Union of Geological Sciences.

Geoscience education in Malaysian primary and secondary schools: perspectives from new tertiary students

Elvaene James1,5*, Elfphyenny James2, Hafzan Eva Mansor1, Mohammad Muqtada Ali Khan1,5, Kevin Fernandez3, Muhammad Hatta Roselee4

1 Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli 17600, Malaysia
2 Open University Malaysia, Sabah Learning Centre, Kota Kinabalu 82000, Malaysia
3 Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
4 Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
5 Tropical GeoResource and Hazards Research Group, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

Correspondence to:*E-mail: elvaene@umk.edu.my

Received: January 16, 2024; Revised: August 11, 2024; Accepted: August 11, 2024

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Geoscience education is crucial globally, yet its delivery in Malaysian schools remains inadequate despite increasing demand for geological services. This study examines perceptions of 157 newly enrolled students in geoscience, geology, and other science-based programs regarding the challenges in bridging the geoscience education gap from primary to pre-university levels in Malaysia. Findings indicate a moderately significant improvement in students' geoscience knowledge, with moderate perspectives on geoscience education before and after entering university. Majority of the new intake tertiary education students have prior knowledge about Earth science education, despite very minority express the absence of geoscience education. Relatively, not much gap can be observed between the fresh intake from geoscience background and other discipline of study in the tertiary education. This research highlights the need for a more comprehensive, integrated approach to geoscience education in Malaysia's educational system to better prepare students for the growing demands of the geological sector and enhance overall geoscience literacy.