Integrating Education for Sustainable Development into the Primary Teacher Education Curriculum

Abstract

The target audiences for the Education for Sustainable Development Resource book are Tutors, and college leaders, who have the responsibility of teacher education. Another primary audience is pre- service and in- service teachers. The purpose of the publication is to describe ways in which Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) can be integrated into the teacher education curriculum. This content is based on the teacher education curriculum and is designed to complement other ESD materials published by UNESCO. The content is specifically written for professional educators who work in formal education settings. By 2030 ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, Global Citizenship Education (GCED), and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture's contribution to sustainable development(Ferri, 2010). Learning plays a central role in achieving the 2030 Agenda and must be recognized as an important force to transform society towards a sustainable development model. Learning can take place in a variety of contexts and during all life phases, from pre-school to post-retirement: the concept of lifelong learning refers to learning as a process that occurs at all times in all places and covers the whole spectrum of formal, non-formal and informal learning. Crucially, lifelong learning is a process of continuous learning that is directed towards not only providing for individual needs, but also those of the community.