Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is spearheading the Sub-Saharan Africa Teachers’ Leadership Training on Education for Sustainable Development (SSATL-ESD), a regional initiative supported by the European Commission. The programme aims at strengthening leadership capacity and promoting curriculum innovation in sustainable development education.
The three-year initiative is coordinated through JKUAT’s Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology (IEET) and brings together educators, academic leaders, policymakers, and development practitioners from across Sub-Saharan Africa. It seeks to enhance leadership capacity for advancing sustainable development through education.
The training programme, which involves 15 partners comprising 10 universities from Sub-Saharan Africa, four universities from Europe, and the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) Crete, Greece, aims to equip staff from participating institutions with knowledge, skills, and innovative approaches to integrate sustainability principles into teaching and learning.
Central to the initiative are Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) leadership change projects addressing key challenges such as youth unemployment, the transition to green and circular economies, inclusive and sustainable growth, gender inequality, and the digital divide. The programme will also establish communities of practice to support joint planning, peer learning, and mutual accountability, enhanced through digital tools for coordination, documentation, and communication.
Speaking during the launch ceremony held on Monday, June 23, 2026, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Production and Extension(RPE) Prof. Jackson Kwanza, emphasized that teachers play a central role in shaping attitudes, values, and behaviors that promote responsible citizenship and environmental stewardship.
“Education for Sustainable Development is more than a subject; it is a way of thinking and living that equips learners with the knowledge, values, and skills necessary to build a sustainable future,” said Prof. Kwanza. “By investing in teachers’ leadership capacity, we are investing in the future generations they inspire every day in classrooms, institutions, and communities.”
The Director of IEET, Dr. Paul Njogu, highlighted the growing need for educators who can champion sustainable development in schools and communities across Africa. He noted that the training aligns with global and regional development frameworks that recognize education as a critical enabler of sustainable development.
According to Dr. Njogu, participants are expected to become ambassadors of sustainability, driving transformative initiatives within their institutions and communities upon completion of the programme.
“Teachers are catalysts for change. By empowering them with leadership skills and knowledge on sustainable development, we are investing in a future where communities can effectively respond to emerging global challenges while creating opportunities for inclusive growth,” he said.
The project’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Margaret Gichuhi, urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity by engaging actively, sharing experiences, challenging conventional thinking, and exploring innovative solutions to societal challenges.
“You are not merely attending a training programme; you are joining a movement of educators committed to shaping a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous Africa,” said Dr. Gichuhi.
She added that the initiative provides an important platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among educators from different countries, fostering the sharing of best practices and innovative solutions to common challenges facing education systems across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme focuses on key thematic areas including climate change education, renewable energy, sustainable resource management, leadership development, curriculum innovation, and community engagement. Participants will also explore practical strategies for integrating sustainability concepts into classroom instruction and institutional practices.
As global challenges such as climate change, resource constraints, and socio-economic inequality intensify, the initiative strengthens JKUAT’s role as a regional hub for sustainability education. The programme is expected to enhance educators’ capacity to drive transformative changes across Sub-Saharan Africa.
