Sustainable Development in Education Model for Kenya Vision 2030

Abstract

Education for sustainable development (ESD) which started in 1972 in Rio and was introduced in Kenya in 2010 after signing an MOU between Israel and Kenya as pilot model using a few schools as demonstration centers. It is being debatable if 8-4-4 should be transformed to ESD. Key questions to be addressed; why, how when and whom are our children direction for future? ESD model provides hope for our children and the realization of vision 2030. The 8-4-4 system of education is more skewed towards theoretical knowledge than practical one and falls short in driving Kenyan vision 2030. Education is the most powerful tool in transforming a community and drives people towards sustainable society. All education stakeholders speak in one voice, the need to transform our education system. Strikes, destruction of school facilities, increased use of drugs- alcohol uptake characterize our education. There is a compelling and logical need to transform 8-4-4 education and integrate it with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in all education institutions. Lack of innovations and unemployment among others are attributes to 8-4-4 system of education in our society. This research carried a case study of Kiamaina primary school in Nakuru County which is a role model of ESD out of the 9 schools practicing integrated education system (8-4-4 and ESD). Having attended a small holder training workshop at KEMI in Nairobi organized by Ofri- Israel on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in July 2015, it captured attention of my colleagues and I decided to write this paper. Developed nations have used ESD model and that is the reason for their achievements. ESD is more realistic, scholarly, practical, and holistic and talent orientated education program. The ESD approach stands for self-development in social, spiritual, environmental and scholarly issues. ESD recognizes that each child is unique and develops three most important faculties in human; that is the mind for knowledge development, the physical for body work to use local resources and the spiritual for moral and ethical behavior. Investment in education is key for the future social, economic, political and environmental sustainability. It is strongly recommended that, ESD be adopted in all learning institutions.