In pursuit of a sustainable future for Jamaica: values, critical consciousness, and the pre-service teacher

Abstract

Jamaica in pursuit of a sustainable future is bombarded with various phenomena that pose critical sustainability challenges. Notwithstanding, the country is being guided by its National Development Plan (Vision 2030 Jamaica) which supports by the principle of sustainability as a key feature and has been taking into consideration economic, social and environmental development. In order to address the varied sustainability challenges, teacher education, as a first step, seeks to promote the inclusion and practice of values among pre-service teachers. This focus on values reinforces competencies through education for sustainable development (ESD). In addition, the pre-service teacher’s use of what is described as “critical consciousness” enables the application of values, for the purpose of transformation of the environment in pursuit of a sustainable Jamaica.

Keywords:

• Sustainable Development
• Education for Sustainable Development
• Values
• Critical Consciousness
• Vision 2030 Jamaica

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Denise Minott A Senior Lecturer (Acting) and Curriculum Specialist in the Office of Quality Assurance (OQA) at the Mico University College, Kingston, Jamaica. She is presently a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.

Garth Minott Deputy President and Lecturer in Ethics at the United Theological College of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) with a MPhil degree focusing of the Church, Social Justice and HIV and AIDS.