The influence of teacher competencies on integrating SDGs into curriculum design: The role of pedagogical innovation
Bright Asare 1 * , Yarhands Dissou Arthur 1, Francis Ohene Boateng 1, Benjamin Adu Obeng 1
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1 University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), Ghana
* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among teacher competencies, pedagogical innovation, and the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into curriculum design using a descriptive correlational Research design. A total of 250 teachers from public and private basic and secondary schools implementing SDG-aligned curricula were selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire measuring teacher competencies, innovative pedagogical practices, and SDG integration. Reliability and validity were confirmed through expert review, pilot testing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, with strong model fit indices. Structural Equation Modeling revealed that teacher competencies significantly predicted both SDG integration and pedagogical innovation. Pedagogical innovation also positively influenced SDG integration. Mediation analysis showed that pedagogical innovation partially mediated the relationship between teacher competencies and SDG integration. These findings highlight the essential role of teacher expertise and innovation in advancing sustainability education and provide evidence to guide professional development and curriculum reform initiatives.  

Keywords

References

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