Realisation of Quality Education through Integration of Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Education in Zambia

The integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) in Zambia’s education system is crucial for fostering holistic, quality education that equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and values needed for sustainable development and global responsibility. The study explored how the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) can enhance the realization of quality education in Zambia. It was guided by an interpretive paradigm, in keeping with the research paradigm, a qualitative Interpretive phenomenology study design was used. The sample for the study comprised of ten educator, five curriculum specialist and other five key stakeholders to capture a broad spectrum of perspectives. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide which was analysed thematically. In addition, document analysis of educational policies and curricula was conducted to contextualize the findings within existing frameworks and the study employed triangulation. The study revealed challenges such as inadequate teacher training, curriculum rigidity, lack of resources, and limited stakeholder engagement hinder their effective implementation in realising quality education in schools. However, through targeted interventions including strengthening teacher training, embedding ESD and GCED within the curriculum, enhancing resource provision, and fostering community involvement Zambia can create an education system that nurtures responsible citizens capable of addressing local and global challenges. For meaningful change, a collaborative approach involving policymakers, educators, communities, and international partners is essential to ensure the successful integration of ESD and GCED for the realization of quality education in Zambia. The study recommended that the government should develop and distribute localized teaching materials, train educators on effective implementation strategies, and establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of ESD and GCED integration on learners’ competencies and overall education quality.