IMPACT OF ECO-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT ON FRENCH LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The pursuit of sustainable development and environmental consciousness has become a global priority. As a response to climate change and the depletion of natural resources, eco-friendly practices are being integrated into various sectors of society, and education sector is not exceptional. As a result, this study unfold the potential impact of eco-friendly environment on French language education in secondary schools in the North central zone of Nigeria. The study aspired to comprehend the current state of eco-friendliness, its impact on student retention, interest, and motivation in learning French, as well as the barriers to implementing eco-friendly practices in the study area. To achieve this, the researcher employed descriptive survey design for the study. The population of the study consisted of 153,707 individuals in Kwara and Nassarawa states. Simple random sampling techniques was used to sampled 840  students and teachers from the selected secondary schools in the study area. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaire using descriptive and inferential statistical methods of mean score and standard deviation. Results indicate a generally positive perception of eco-friendliness within surveyed schools, the presence of eco-friendly initiatives within the French language program positively influences students' decisions to continue studying French, thereby enhancing retention rates. Challenges in implementing eco-friendly practices in secondary schools include procurement difficulties, lack of student awareness, funding constraints, and integration issues within the curriculum. Recommendations include collaboration among curriculum developers to seamlessly integrate environmental themes into French language lessons, providing training and support for teachers, investing in sustainability infrastructure within schools, and partnering with environmental organizations and local communities to enrich students' learning experiences.