Sustainability Education in Pakistan: Qualitative Content Analysis of English Textbook Grade X

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how sustainability is represented in the Grade X English textbook. The textbook was selected using purposive sampling, and the data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis by using NVivo 12. Analysis of the Grade 10 English textbook reflects on the significant focus on social, cultural, and moral values of sustainable development with minor domination on environmental, economic, and institutional dimensions. Justice, equality, cultural diversity, and ethics have been well addressed throughout the textbook with fewer explanations and discussions on issues that deal with environment, climate change, responsible economic growth, and institutional frameworks. Such limited exposure is a huge deficiency in giving a holistic understanding of sustainability challenges and opportunities to learners. Future publications of the textbook need to include separate topics on the environment, economic sustainability principles, and governance and institutions so that learners can be further enlightened on these sustainability threads that strengthen the tertiary block of the sustainability triangle. The inclusion of key stakeholders from diverse sectors in the designing of the next versions of the textbook can give a participatory and all-inclusive curriculum that is in line with the learner’s expected knowledge and formulation of what makes a textbook relevant.