TITLE:
Schoolchildren’s Perceptions and Motivations of Climate Change towards Climate Change Education: A Comparative Study among Boys and Girls in Koulikoro, Mali
AUTHORS:
Adama Boua Doumbia, Marcelinus Dery, Abou Abdoulaye Sow, Halidou Kafando, Elh Maman Garba Ibrahim, Abdoulie F. R. Jadama, Walter Leal Filho
KEYWORDS:
Boys and Girls, Climate Change, Climate Change Education, Comparison
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: The effects of climate change (CC) differ considerably among groups, with gender having an important role in defining how people think about and respond to climate hazards. This study aims to explore the differences and similarities between boys’ and girls’ perceptions and motivations regarding CC and assess their views of the status of CC in the curriculum. The study employed a multistage sampling procedure. The two primary schools were selected using stratified convenience sampling by the Pedagogical Animation Centre (CAP) of Koulikoro. The selection of these schools involved their engagement in the research activities at the CAP. The research employed a descriptive research design with a survey questionnaire. Simple random sampling was used to select 114 fifth- and sixth-grade pupils among a population of 160, utilising the Raosoft (2004) sample size calculator. The findings revealed that both boys and girls have similar concerns about CC. However, girls demonstrated statistically significant differences in attitudes towards climate change compared to their counterparts, boys. In addition, girls’ awareness of CC was slightly higher than boys’. The data indicated that boys have a greater understanding of the causes and impacts of CC, and a greater motivation to act on climate than schoolgirls. Girls showed a higher understanding of mitigation and adaptation actions and desire to learn about CC, with no statistically significant differences compared to boys.