Education is an indispensable tool for achieving sustainability. It is a recognized fact that current economic development trends are not sustainable and that public awareness, education, and training are key to moving society toward sustainability. Ahead of that, there is little agreement. People argue about the meaning of sustainable development and whether or not it is attainable.
Everyone has different idea of what sustainable societies will look like and how they will function. These same people ask why educators have not moved more quickly to develop education for sustainability programs. The lack of agreement and definition has thwarted efforts to move education for sustainable development (ESD) forward.
In a study made about this issue, it explained, “An important difference is the difference between education about sustainable development and education for sustainable development. The first is an awareness lesson or theoretical discussion. The second is the use of education as a tool to achieve sustainability. In our opinion, more than a theoretical discussion is needed at this critical juncture in time. While some people argue that “for” indicates indoctrination, we think “for” indicates a purpose. All education serves a purpose or society would not invest in it. Driver education, for example, seeks to make our roads safer for travelers. Fire-safety education seeks to prevent fires and tragic loss of lives and property. ESD promises to make the world more livable for this and future generations. Of course, a few will abuse or distort ESD and turn it into indoctrination. This would be antithetical to the nature of ESD, which, in fact, calls for giving people knowledge and skills for lifelong learning to help them find new solutions to their environmental, economic, and social issues.”
With that understanding, it will be simpler to identify how education can indeed support for sustainable development of the country as a whole.
By: Grace M. Ruiz | Teacher III | Balut Elementary School | Orion, Bataan
