Science for sustainable development and prosperity: The role of General Education for sustainable development

Abstract

Sustainable development is not a process that simply happens; rather it has to be achieved. Sustainable development is impossible without proper understanding, developing proper attitude and skill development. Education is a prerequisite for promoting the behavioral changes and providing all citizens with the key competences needed to achieve sustainable development. In this endeavor General formal education needs to play a critical role. The national curriculum of school education in Sri Lanka includes some competencies related to education for sustainable development especially in the subjects Science, Citizenship education (grades 6-9) and Citizenship Education and Governance (grade 10-11). Other subjects also have some related content to ESD or opportunities for developing sustainability focus in the implementation of the specific curriculum content. However, when examining some of the competencies stated in the curricula, it is observed that the activities and the outcomes of the lessons are not in line. There should sufficient flexibility in the whole curriculum to enable teachers to teach this content richly, using locally relevant sustainability issues and opportunities in schools, at home and in the wider community.