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For Function Or Transformation? A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Education Under The Sustainable Development Goals, Radhika Mitter, Nigel O.M. Brissett

Sustainability and Social Justice

We conduct a critical discourse analysis of the extent to which Sustainable Development Goal 4, “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all and promote lifelong learning,” promotes a utilitarian and/or transformative approach to education. Our findings show that despite transformative language used throughout the Agenda, the SDGs primarily espouse a pro-growth model of development and a utilitarian approach to education. We conclude that for SDG 4 to truly contribute to sustainable development and transformation, there must be a shift in the dominant educational discourse so that issues of social and environmental justice are placed at the heart of …