strengths and opportunities for Implementing sustainable Development (SD) Programmes in Secondary Schools in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sustainable L)evelopment (SD) is related to economic, social and environmental de'*relopment. According to United Nations 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, there are sel'enteen SD goals to be achievecl by both deveioped anrl develoning countries such as eualitv eclucarion, No poverty; Gent_iei eoi_lity, Zero hunger, Clirnate action etc.'lherefbre, the aim otthe studr.was tc ijen, tifv strengths and opportunities for impiementing sD programs in secon<larr schools in Kandl,Ilistrict. Tle study was based on surve\r r:esearcl-l desigl 1l.iih stratified sampling rnethod for data collection. Thirty trtic secondarl. school principals rvere seiected flort Kandv districi. Questionnaires and interrriens rvere used to collect quantitati\re ancl qualitative ciata. According to principals' responses in relation to strengths; hurnan anci ph1'sical resources \vere identified by 75o/o principals, communitr. support and positive attitudes by TAolo principals, school pians and participation of teachers and students by 65%o. with reference to opportunities identified by principals; school syllabuses 75o/o, various programs in school and community relationship 70%, iocation of school, teacher attitudes and co-curricular activities 65%, meetings, special activities and school culture 500/0. In conclusion, it could be identifiea tnut strengths and opportunities for implementing SD programs in secondarv schools *uirly..- lated to human and phvsical resources, community support, positive attitudes, school syllabuses and co-curricular activities. Further, it could be suggested to implernent a model action plan in secondarv schools to enhance the effectiveness of SD programs tc achieve the allfactors relateci to SD goals in education.