Assessing Environmental Literacy in School Kids: A Pilot Study to Quantify the Knowledge–Action Gap, Dataset and Statistical Analysis

STUDY OVERVIEW This dataset supports a pilot study assessing environmental literacy among school students (n = 45, ages 6–16) at Z.P.P. (Zilla Parishad Primary) School, Valati, Tal. Ambegaon, Pune District, Maharashtra, India. The study was conducted under the subject Research Methodology (Environmental Literacy Study), 2025, at the Department of Environmental Studies, Independent Researcher, Pune, Maharashtra, India. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE The study aimed to quantify the Knowledge–Action Gap, the divergence between high environmental awareness scores and inconsistent pro-environmental behaviour, across three age cohorts, in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, India. METHODOLOGY A mixed-method approach was used. A custom Marathi-language survey instrument (10 MCQs per cohort) assessed Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour (K-A-B) dimensions. Three cohorts were studied: Age 6–10 (n=15), Age 11–13 (n=15), Age 14–16 (n=15). Waste segregation frequency (Always / Sometimes / Never) was used as the primary behavioural indicator. KEY FINDINGS Overall mean environmental awareness score: 8.47 / 10 (SD = 1.12). One-way ANOVA: F(2,42) = 0.43, p = 0.653, no significant inter-cohort difference in knowledge scores. Eta-squared = 0.020 (negligible effect size). Knowledge–Action Gap: 6.7% (Age 6–10), −3.9% (Age 11–13), 24.5% (Age 14–16). Chi-square test (waste segregation): χ²(4) = 6.43, p = 0.169; Cramér's V = 0.29. Population extrapolation: ~9.6 million secondary school students in India may be affected by the Knowledge–Action Gap (UDISE+ 2022–23 basis). THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1991); Knowledge–Attitude–Behaviour (K-A-B) Model; Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC); Social Norms theory. DATASET CONTENTS Main report (DOCX): Full 20+ page academic report with embedded figures and tables. Statistical analysis workbook (XLSX): 8-sheet workbook, raw data, descriptive stats, ANOVA, post-hoc tests, question analysis, waste segregation, K-A gap and population extrapolation. Original survey responses (XLSX): Raw data as collected in the field. Original submitted report (PDF): Independent Research Environmental Literacy Study submission. README (MD): Dataset description, methodology, and citation information. DATA SOURCES FOR EXTRAPOLATION UDISE+ 2022–23 (Ministry of Education, Government of India); Census of India 2011; Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023; Maharashtra Economic Survey 2024. ETHICS Data collected with school administration consent. No personally identifiable information beyond student names (field study convention). No minors' guardian data included.