Sustainability Literacy among Secondary Students: Awareness, Attitudes, and Action
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46328/ijres.5254Keywords:
Education for sustainable development, Sustainability literacy, SDG implementation, Secondary students, Transformative learningAbstract
This study examined the awareness, attitudes, and likelihood of action on sustainability among 130 secondary students in the southern Philippines. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Transformative Learning Theory, the research utilized a 51-item SDG-based survey aligned with UNESCO's (2017) learning objectives for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Descriptive statistics revealed high levels of awareness in familiar sustainability issues such as waste reduction, mental health, and water conservation. In contrast, lower awareness was observed in more technical and abstract domains, such as ICT infrastructure and economic growth. Attitude responses were positive, particularly concerning empathy, education, and environmental responsibility. Action-related items showed variability, with stronger intentions linked to education and climate-related topics, and weaker intentions in areas requiring technical knowledge or leadership. Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant, positive relationships among awareness, attitudes, and actions, with the strongest correlation between attitudes and actions. The findings underscore the need for sustainability education that builds knowledge and empowers students through experiential, skill-based, and values-driven learning to turn awareness into transformative action.
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