The EduLink ESD Network

The EduLink training programme was established as a national ESD initiative and run from 2017 to 2020. The primary programme goal is to improve the integration of ESD into the Namibian education system using the approach “Learn - Understand – Act”. The primary objective of the EduLink programme is to equip teachers with pedagogical content knowledge, to enable cross-curricular teaching of ESD through hands-on learning using real-life examples. The programme objectives that link to GAP priority areas are:

1. To strengthen the EE/ESD sector in Namibian.
2. To strengthen the EE/ESD capacities of the educators at the EE centres.
3. Enhance teachers ESD content knowledge, pedagogies and integration in school curriculum.

The Edulink programme comprised of a three-tier approach to education. Tier 1 involves engaging and mobilising EE educators at EE centres across Namibia to develop initiatives and teacher’s training programs. Tier 2 of the programme comprises EE educators conducting teachers training at their centres. Tier 3 consists of teachers returning to their respective schools after receiving training at the ESD Centre, where they are expected to implement ESD through hands-on learning and using real-life examples, physically provide guidance, and support the learners and school community at large via school community projects.

Visualisation of the implementation of the EduLink ESD network and training programme. Environmental education centres are interconnected and offer teacher training in ESD; teachers act as multipliers to integrate ESD in schools and implement their own small school community projects in the regions.