Education for Sustainable Development in Pre-ServiceTeacher Education: An Assessment of ProspectiveTeachers’ Knowledge and Skills in a B.Ed. Four-YearProgram

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the increased knowledge of prospective teachers about education for sustainable development while completing their B.Ed. four-years program. The objectives of this study were to assess the gained knowledge of prospective teachers about ESD and the extent to what extent knowledge is given to prospective teachers about SDGs. Also, the level of pedagogical competency is developed during pre-service training. Utilizing a descriptive research design, data were collected from 243 prospective teachers in their 7th and 8th semesters across six public universities in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Multan. The purposive sampling technique was employed, and the prospective teachers of only the 7th and 8th semester B. Ed four-year program were selected. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was employed for data collection. The results indicate that prospective teachers possess general awareness about SDGs that were introduced in B.Ed. programs, rather than explaining each goal along with sub-parts in-depth. More than half of the prospective teachers reported that they learned the concept of ESD during their B.Ed. four-year program. The majority of respondents (prospective teachers) considered that the B. Ed four-year degree program was effective in enhancing their pedagogical skills. Nevertheless, a small number of prospective expressed concerns regarding the integration of ESD in the B.Ed. four-year program, as they didn’t consider this program very helpful in developing comprehensive ESD-related knowledge. Based on these findings, this study recommends that Education for Sustainable Development should be part of the B.Ed. programs, as Pakistan is a developing country facing multiple challenges such as poverty, climate, and inequality. So, integration of ESD into a B.Ed four year program is essential for promoting future sustainability.