The study sought to investigate curriculum issues, teaching and learning for sustainable development in
secondary schools in Zimbabwe. Education for sustainable development (ESD) aims at changing the approach to
education by integrating principles, values, practices and needs in all forms of learning. Literature has
documented the importance of problem solving, ecologically relevant education, project based and interactive
education as the basis for sustainable development.
Emphasis has also been placed upon the pedagogical and
curriculum issues in support of sustainable teaching and learning in developing countries.
The methodology
employed included literature search, documentary analysis, questionnaires, interviews and observation. The
study was based on two urban and two rural secondary schools. The results revealed that some schools followed
a seriously integrated curriculum where academic work was integrated with industry based education or learning,
while others followed a purely academic curriculum.
Results showed that pursuing an academic curriculum led
to relevant careers though unemployment was high due to the lack of skills. The high rate of employment of
those pursuing integrated curriculum appeared to be a motivator. The study concluded that an integrated
curriculum and education was more beneficial for sustainable development and entrepreneurship. Further
research is required on the curriculum and strategies for education/industry integration for sustainable
development and challenges schools face in trying to implement ESD.