Home Economics Education and Waste Management Behaviour Among Secondary School Students in Cross River State

This study investigates the relationship between Home Economics Education and waste management behaviour among secondary school students in Cross River State, South South Nigeria. Rapid urbanisation and poor waste disposal practices have intensified environmental degradation in many Nigerian communities, making waste management education a public health priority. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, targeting SS1 to SS3 students in fifteen public secondary schools in Calabar Municipality and Obudu local government areas. Data were collected from 320 students using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist. Objectives include assessing students' knowledge of waste management principles taught in the Home Economics curriculum, determining their waste management behaviours at home and school, and identifying the influence of the curriculum on environmental attitudes. Recent literature confirms that students with formal exposure to Home Economics demonstrate stronger pro-environmental behaviours compared to those without such instruction. Data were analysed using mean scores, standard deviation, and chi-square. The Norm Activation Theory anchors this study, linking personal norms and awareness of consequences to pro-environmental action. Findings are expected to reveal that Home Economics instruction significantly predicts responsible waste management behaviour. Recommendations target the Cross River State Ministry of Education and curriculum developers to strengthen environmental education components in the Home Economics curriculum. Keywords: waste management, Home Economics Education, environmental behaviour, secondary school, Cross River State.