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Transformative learning for
a more sustainable world
Heila Lotz-Sisitka, Rhodes University, South Africa
L
earning is almost as important as life. In fact, we could not
live if we did not learn. However, for a long time people
have been learning to do things that are unsustainable.
For example, we learn that producing waste or building an
economy that makes some people very rich and leaves others
poor is normal. We learn that what ‘I’ want is all that matters,
and that everything can be bought in a shop. We also learn to
see only the good side of the products we buy, and we don’t learn
how our products are produced, or where, or what the conditions
of production are. We no longer learn how to grow our own food,
save and reuse materials, share what we have with others, reduce
our impact or improve our relationships. We are learning in the
wrong direction – and our planet is telling us that this needs
to stop.
Schools, colleges and universities are dedicated to helping young
and old to learn. Each day someone goes to school, college or
university, they enter a place of learning, wanting to learn something
new. But what is on offer? And how is learning struc-
tured? Is the kind of learning found in most schools,
colleges, universities and training programmes provid-
ing the knowledge, values and skills needed for a more
sustainable life?
Developing effective learning practices
In South Africa, the government has approved a
National Curriculum Statement that requires all teach-
ers to give attention to “the relationship between a
healthy environment, social justice and inclusivity”
1
in
all of their teaching practices. Focusing on this state-
ment, a teacher in a school decides to focus some of her
social studies lessons on waste. She tells the children
a story about ‘too much waste’ and then asks them to
go outside and collect waste. They put on some gloves
(for safety) and collect the litter lying in and around
the school yard. The teacher asks the children to sort
Children taking a break from picking up litter in their school
Image: Kate Davies