Volume 1 : Issue 1 (2014)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : A CONTEXT FOR EDUCATION REFORM

Education for sustainable development is a dynamic & expansive undertaking that envisions a world where every person has the chance to benefit from educational opportunities and to learn the lifestyles, behaviours & values necessary to create a sustainable future and for positive societal transformation. Education for sustainable development can be understood using a tree as a metaphor; it grows its roots deep into the soil and its branches extend wide and high toward the sky. It is a concept, which is attached to an enlarging sphere with some of its branches withering. Education for sustainable development is a vision of education that seeks to balance human and economic well being with cultural traditions and respect for the earth’ s natural resources. Education has a critical role to play in both raising awareness among young people of sustainable development, giving them the skills they need to put sustainable development into practice in later life, but also in framing good habits at an early age. There is a two way benefit from embedding sustainable development in the education system. By linking teaching to issues of direct concern to young people their personal quality of life and well being of the communities and environment around them- their learning becomes more relevant and compelling, with positive impacts on standards of achievement & behaviour. Education for sustainable development is an approach to the whole curriculum & management of an institution. ESD is also about helping pupils to develop knowledge, understanding values & skills. As such, the curriculum approaches to teaching and the learning experiences that students have are all key elements of effective education for sustainable development.

Sustainable Development,

Alberty, Harold B. & Alberty, Elsie J. (1962). Reorganizing the High-school Curriculum, Light & Life Publishers, New Delhi . Das, R. C., Sinha, H. C., Pillai, K. K., Passi B. K. & Mattoo, B. K. (1984). Curriculum and Evaluation, National Council of Educational Research and training, New Delhi. HORIZONS OF HOLISTIC EDUCATION..., JULY 2014 Prakash, Om (2001). Thoughts on Education, RBSA Publishers, Jaipur. Robinson , Adjai. (1980). Principles & Practice of Teaching, George Alen & Unwin LTD, London. Zais, Robert S. (1976). Curriculum Principles and Foundations, Thomas Y Crowell company, New York.