Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Evaluating primary schools’ gardens in terms of environmental contribution to student learning: A case study in Antalya, Turkey

Author(s):

Sibel Mansuroğlu ^*, Ali Sabanci

Recieved Date: 2009-11-22, Accepted Date: 2010-04-02

Abstract:

Children and youngsters of school age living in metropole cities need places where they can get in touch with nature in order to more fully realize their physical, intellectual and emotional developmental needs. There are many theoretical and practical scientific studies on the benefit of school gardens for various educational purposes. Though efforts in schools based on personal awareness can be seen occasionally, purposeful usage and contribution of gardens for education of school gardens for students social, physical and psychological well-being have not been considered a requirement in Turkey, as in many developed countries. In this study, the physical landscapes of primary schools located in Konyaalti district, Antalya, were examined in terms of principles of landscape architecture and educational outcomes. The specific issues addressed regarding school gardens were: examining existing conditions, determining existing problems in terms of planning and design, qualitative assessment of outdoor space, determining awareness of school principals concerning enhancement of educational opportunities through well designed, aesthetically pleasing school gardens. School gardens in Konyaalti, Antalya, exhibit problems for the following reasons: a) poor/insufficient planning and design, b) insufficient appropriation of land and c) unqualified management regarding the educational importance of student-environment interaction. Because of an extremely high student-to-teacher ratio, teachers were not left with the time or energy to develop personal projects for school gardens. However, researchers were left with the impression that principals, teachers and parents can build a bridge between their respective school and civil public and public organizations in order to attain voluntary contributions.

Keywords:

Environment, landscape architecture, school gardens, qualitative assessment, student learning, school management, Antalya

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2010
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 1097-1102

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