Research Article

Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept

Volume: 11 Number: 2 September 28, 2026
TR EN

Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept

Abstract

In the context of global sustainability challenges, green chemistry offers a critical framework for promoting environmentally responsible science education. This study investigates the perceptions of high school chemistry teachers in Lesotho regarding green chemistry and its integration into the Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE) curriculum, as well as their readiness to teach it. Using a semi qualitative questionnaire distributed through the association of mathematics and science teachers, responses from 35 teachers revealed that most teachers (78%) encountered green chemistry informally and demonstrated basic understanding – primarily associated with less hazardous chemical use (57%) and pollution-related ideas (20%). However, many were unable to explicitly identify green chemistry principles within the existing curriculum, despite claiming familiarity with it. Teachers majority strongly supported explicit inclusion of green chemistry (77%), recognizing its relevance to sustainability issues. However, though 86% expressed confidence in teaching it, an equally high proportion expressed the need for further training. These findings suggest that teachers’ understanding of green chemistry is implicit rather than formally structured. The study highlights the need for explicit curriculum integration and targeted professional teacher development and stakeholder collaboration to support effective curriculum implementation, aligning Lesotho’s education with global sustainability goals that the country has ratified.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

National University of Lesotho, Commonwealth Chemistry and Chemical Society of Lesotho

Project Number

Not applicable

Ethical Statement

The research was carried out in observance of the ethics code for the interview questionnaire

Thanks

The aforementioned institutions are hereby duly acknowledged.

References

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  5. Bordens, K. S., & Abbott, B. B. (2011). Research design and methods: A process approach (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  6. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
  7. Brophy, J. (1999). Toward a model of the value aspects of motivation in education: Developing appreciation for… Educational Psychologist, 34(2), 75–85. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep3402_1
  8. Chanshetti, U. (2014). Green chemistry: Environmentally benign chemistry. International Journal of Advanced Research in Chemical Science, 1(1), 110–115.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Chemistry Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Litlhare E. Mphanya This is me
Lesotho

Early Pub Date

September 28, 2026

Publication Date

September 28, 2026

Submission Date

December 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
George, M., & Mphanya, L. E. (2026). Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section C: Chemical Education, 11(2), 141-166. https://doi.org/10.37995/jotcsc.1842998
AMA
1.George M, Mphanya LE. Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept. J. Turk. Chem. Soc., Sect. C Chem. Educ. 2026;11(2):141-166. doi:10.37995/jotcsc.1842998
Chicago
George, Mosotho, and Litlhare E. Mphanya. 2026. “Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section C: Chemical Education 11 (2): 141-66. https://doi.org/10.37995/jotcsc.1842998.
EndNote
George M, Mphanya LE (September 1, 2026) Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section C: Chemical Education 11 2 141–166.
IEEE
[1]M. George and L. E. Mphanya, “Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept”, J. Turk. Chem. Soc., Sect. C Chem. Educ., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 141–166, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.37995/jotcsc.1842998.
ISNAD
George, Mosotho - Mphanya, Litlhare E. “Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section C: Chemical Education 11/2 (September 1, 2026): 141-166. https://doi.org/10.37995/jotcsc.1842998.
JAMA
1.George M, Mphanya LE. Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept. J. Turk. Chem. Soc., Sect. C Chem. Educ. 2026;11:141–166.
MLA
George, Mosotho, and Litlhare E. Mphanya. “Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section C: Chemical Education, vol. 11, no. 2, Sept. 2026, pp. 141-66, doi:10.37995/jotcsc.1842998.
Vancouver
1.Mosotho George, Litlhare E. Mphanya. Chemistry for Sustainable Development: Assessing the Perception of Some High School Teachers in Lesotho of the Green Chemistry Concept. J. Turk. Chem. Soc., Sect. C Chem. Educ. 2026 Sep. 1;11(2):141-66. doi:10.37995/jotcsc.1842998

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