Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Higher Technical Institutions in Ghana: Building Technology Students’ Attitude Towards Sustainability


  •  Maxwell Kwame Boakye    
  •  Elom Ayeke    
  •  Emmanuel Yaw Frempong Jnr    
  •  John Kwesi Korsah    
  •  Charles Amoah Owusu    
  •  Christopher Antwi Adu-Gyamfi    
  •  Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Rahaman    

Abstract

Students constitute a critical stakeholder grouping in the construction industry, and their attitudes toward sustainability are essential as they are anticipated to be future decision-makers in infrastructure development projects. This study aims to investigate the attitude of building construction students towards sustainability based on the three established dimensions (environment, economic, and social) and the additional construct of education that focuses on pedagogical approaches to determine training needs. Using a sample random sampling approach, data was collected from 250 building construction students pursuing a Higher National Diploma in Building Technology at Ho Technical University through structured interviews in June and July 2024. Based on the probit model, the social dimension most marginally impacted students’ attitudes toward sustainability, followed by the economic, environmental, and educational dimensions. The results emphasize the importance of enhancing the pedagogy used to impact sustainability competencies in students in Higher Technical Universities in Ghana. This study found students to have the highest attitude towards the social dimension of sustainability. To achieve sustainability competencies, pedagogical strategies that engage students to develop their sustainability competencies should be promoted.



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