Exploring Teacher Education Students’ Knowledge and Awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Apayao State College, Conner Campus

Abstract

Higher educational institutions (HEIs) make valuable contributions to the implementation of SDGs. The Apayao State College (ASC) offers offers Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) and Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE) programs in its Conner Campus. Considering the critical roles of teachers in realizing SDGs, this study determined the students’ level of knowledge and awareness of SDGs and the mechanisms to promote understanding and awareness of the students on SDGs in the Teacher Education Programs of ASC Conner Campus. The descriptive research method utilizes a questionnaire as the main instrument. Two hundred and five College students from the BSE and BEED programs served as respondents. Results revealed that the students are highly knowledgeable of the SDGs. Moreover, the top five (5) highest responses in which the students were knowledgeable included SDG 4, SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 1, and SDG 2. On the other hand, The TED students are highly aware of 12 SDGs and moderately aware of 5 SDGs. The top five mechanisms to promote knowledge and awareness of the students on SDGs in the Teacher Education Programs of Apayao State College, Conner Campus, included class discussions from teachers, social media, websites, seminars, and mass media communications. There is a need to promote knowledge and awareness levels among students to familiarize them with and be aware of these 17 SDGs to contribute to the UN SDGs target for 2030. Moreover, more interactive ICT mechanisms should be used with moderate knowledge and awareness of the SDGs.