Developing a Curriculum Framework for Climate Change Education in Nigerian Basic Schools

Climate change education prepares young people to understand environmental challenges and develop adaptive behaviours, and designing a curriculum framework for its systematic integration into Nigerian Basic Education schools provides a foundation for national environmental citizenship. This study developed a curriculum framework for climate change education in Basic Schools in Nigeria, with contextual grounding in schools from Bauchi (North East), Ogun (South West), and Anambra (South East) States. A professional framework development methodology was applied, drawing on UNESCO climate change education guidelines, analysis of existing environmental content in Nigerian Basic Education curricula, and structured consultations with 15 environmental education specialists, 12 primary school science teachers, and 8 Ministry of Environment and Education officials across the three states. Analysis confirmed that climate change was mentioned in fewer than 5.0 percent of Basic Education curriculum content and that practical environmental action was absent from all examined curriculum guides. The framework developed specifies climate literacy learning progressions from Primary 1 through JSS3, subject integration pathways (Science, Social Studies, Home Economics, and Civic Education), school-based action project components, and assessment indicators. Community and family engagement components are included. Expert review by ten climate education and curriculum specialists confirmed the framework's scientific accuracy and pedagogical coherence. The study recommends the framework be formally submitted to the NERDC for inclusion in the next Basic Education curriculum revision cycle.

Keywords: climate change education, Basic Education, curriculum framework, environmental literacy, Nigeria