Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a Pedagogical Framework in the Context of NEP 2020: Bridging Policy Vision with Sustainable Educational Practices

Abstract

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a holistic, inclusive and future-ready education based on Indian culture and responsive to global challenges. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) complements such vision by nurturing learners to develop critical thinking, act with responsibility, and actively contribute to society and the environment. This paper aims to explain how ESD aligns with NEP 2020, through a critical review and analysis of literature around ESD, supported by themes identified in NEP 2020. Seven dimensions are recognised: multidisciplinary education, learner-centred pedagogy, 21st century competencies, inclusive education, life skills education, global citizenship, and quality education. In summary the results demonstrate that NEP 2020 provides structural reform, while ESD provides pedagogy and practices that are action-based and participatory, allowing learners to connect their learning in the classroom with sustainability challenges in the real world. Despite challenges such as exam-driven systems and teacher capacity limitations, ESD in education can create transformation and future readiness by cultivating socially responsible and sustainability-literate learners as intended in NEP 2020.