Need to incorporate sustainable development goals in higher education curricula

Abstract

The challenges of meeting educational needs continue to remain a central concern in almost all social settings, not the least when it comes to global fora where there seem to be no overarching governmental mechanisms. The challenge of integrating various social, economic, ethnic, and political realities in the educational environment, while still marching towards the achievement of the goals of sustainable development, is indeed a formidable one. When we talk about the need to fulfil the challenges of developmental aspects of education such as an innovative and integrated approach towards learning, an improved pedagogy while taking into account newer issues like promotion of our environment and undertaking ecological sensitisation programmes, we need to follow an inclusive approach. It has been seen that in recent years, societies have tended to become more and more divisive. This line of thinking can be seen when it comes to designing curricula. We often see that issues like gender parity in classrooms, the need for reduction of conspicuous consumption, and the need to foster industry and infrastructure do not find proper weightage in the syllabi. At this juncture, we have to remember that while educating our future generations, it becomes absolutely imperative to incorporate environmental issues because our environment is the only one that we have. Once it is destroyed, we will not get another chance to reclaim it. Similarly, the curricula must integrate and assimilate concerns prevalent amongst various sections of society, with regards to food security, reduction in poverty and inequality, and availability of clean water and decent sanitation facilities, while also ensuring good mental and physical health of students and instructors. Quality education should be the birthright of any college-going student anywhere across the world irrespective of the country in which (s)he was born in.