The representation of sustainable development goals in a national curriculum: a content analysis of Taiwan’s 12-Year Basic Education Curriculum Guidelines

Abstract

Despite the increasing focus on incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into education through curriculum mainstreaming, related research remains lacking. This study explored the representation of SDGs in Taiwan’s national curriculum in terms of selection and organization. Through a content analysis of the social studies and natural sciences curriculum guidelines, the findings revealed that SDG-related content comprises a minor part of the guidelines and is not well organized, possibly due to limitations on discipline characteristics and curriculum types. A subtle but complex implicit curriculum reflects neoliberalism, which addresses SDG-related issues through market mechanisms and shifts the focus from power, politics, and citizenship to consumers’ choices and lifestyles. The results provide a reference for policymakers and educators in re-examining underrepresented SDGs and dimensions and organizing them coherently. They also bridge the gap between the international framework and national curricula, laying the foundation for international comparisons, discussions, and debates on ESD.

Keywords:

• Education for sustainable development (ESD)
• sustainable development goals (SDGs)
• curriculum development
• neoliberalism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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SDG-related content comprises a minor part of Taiwan’s curriculum and is not well organized. A subtle but complex implicit curriculum reflects neoliberalism. Findings lay the foundation for international comparisons and debates on ESD.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Science and Technology Council in Taiwan (MOST 108-2511-H-110 − 003-MY3).

Notes on contributors

Pei-I Chou

Pei-I Chou is a professor at National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan. She was the former associate dean of the College of Social Sciences and the head of the Institute of Education. Her research interests include the areas of sociology of education and curriculum development, particularly global education and textbook analysis.

Ya-Ting Wang

Ya-Ting Wang is a PhD candidate of Institute of Education at National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan. Her research interests include curriculum design and development, textbook analysis and education for sustainable development.