Sustainable Development-Barriers and Challenges in Integrating Sustainable Development in Education

Abstract

Sustainable development (SD) plays a crucial role in fostering a balanced, equitable, and environmentally conscious future. Integrating SD principles into education is vital for empowering learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to address global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and resource management. However, achieving this integration faces significant barriers and challenges. These include a lack of awareness among stakeholders, rigid and overloaded curricula, insufficient educator training, and limited resources. Additional obstacles arise from policy inconsistencies, cultural resistance, technological gaps, and difficulties in measuring the impact of sustainable education. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach, including policy reforms, resource allocation, professional development for educators, and enhanced community engagement. This paper explores these barriers and provides actionable recommendations to promote the successful integration of sustainable development in education systems globally.