Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Item
    Curriculum development in integrated science for form one to form three in Mauritius : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1981) Sin Yan Too, Chin Hin
    During the past decade, Integrated Science curricula and courses have mushroomed all over the world. Likewise the Mauritius Integrated Science Project came into existence in 1976. Implied is that this 'new' science course is also a 'better' course. Is it and can it be improved? After retracing the history of Mauritian education and showing how the education system was shackled to the powers that be, mention is made of how the wind of change started blowing over the education system. The birth of M.I.S.P is hailed; its aims and objectives are then discussed. This centres on the meaning of Integrated Science, its composition and where M.I.S.P stands with regard to it. Philosophical concerns for the nature of science, the relevance of science education as well as the social implications of science education,all these concepts are treated at length. It is the thesis of this author that if these three concerns are not taken into consideration in curriculum development work for a science course at primary and secondary education levels, then we would only be scratching the surface. In consequence, an in-depth analysis of the scientific method is called for. How far the M.I.S.P teaching approach diverges from this scientific method is then exposed. Time dichotomy between the process of science and the product of science is fully discussed. It is suggested that school science, based essentially on the product of science, despite teaching approaches to the contrary i.e guided discovery method, will do more harm than good. It is proposed that the process is the all important factor in science education. Learning through science rather than learning Science is upheld to be the goal of science education. Scientific thinking should predominate over scientific knowledge at the level of education under consideration. This is said to have survival value and is viewed as the Education for Tomorrow. Proposal for changes in the structure and contents of M.I.S.P is made. The implementation issue is emphasised, especially in terms of teacher training, and examinations. These two factors are considered essential to the success of M.I.S.P. Otherwise a new orthodoxy will set in.
  • Item
    Perceptions of climate change and climate change policies within the tourism sector in Mauritius : a thesis prepared in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Management at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2016) Dhoomun, Lovisha
    Tourism in small island developing states (SIDS) is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The phenomenon is predicted to reduce the demand for Tourism in SIDS as temperatures at these destinations become uncomfortably Hot and temperate destinations close to tourists’ countries of origin become More appealing. Climate change is also expected to have significant economic Implications for the tourism industry in island nations due to sea level rise, Storm surges and more intense cyclones which can damage coastal Infrastructure, disrupt tourism operations, contribute to environmental Degradation and create a less attractive image of the destination. These Impacts may be reduced through a planned adaptation approach which is guided by national policies and mediated by authorities. However, the complex and uncertain nature of climate change requires more than only expert opinions to ensure that implemented policies are effective. Tourism is the most important export-oriented economic activity in Mauritius. However, rapid tourism development has led to environmental degradation in coastal areas. Climate change is predicted to exacerbate these conditions and further deteriorate the environmental attributes on which tourism depends. This research examines the climate change risk perceptions among stakeholders within the tourism sector in Mauritius. It also explores their perceptions of the public policies which guide the management of climate change impacts, their policy preferences and the factors which they view as barriers to an effective approach to climate change. A conceptual framework based on the literature on risk perceptions was developed to guide this research and a mixed method approach comprising a self-administered survey and semistructured interviews was adopted for data collection. Information was gathered regarding stakeholders’ level of concern about climate change, their past experience of climate change impacts, sources of information, levels of trust in institutional responses, and their preferred approach to managing climate change impacts. Results revealed that climate change is perceived as representing significant risks for Mauritius, both for the participants on a personal level and for the tourism industry. Climate change is viewed as a phenomenon which leads to unpredictable and potentially fatal consequences, and therefore, as having high catastrophic potential. Past experience and a lack of confidence in government institutions’ capacity to successfully manage the impacts strongly influenced these perceptions. Stakeholders’ preferred policy options included education, raising awareness, stricter regulations for environmental conservation and mitigation of greenhouse emissions. The majority of participants demonstrated a lack of awareness of the importance of adaptation in Mauritius, and therefore viewed the current institutional approach, which appropriately focuses on adaptation, as being inadequate or insufficient. It is recommended that communication among tourism stakeholders is strengthened and information about adaptation is disseminated to stakeholders through sources perceived as being credible. Keywords: climate change, tourism, risk perceptions, policy, Small Island Developing States, Mauritius.