Abstract
In today's world, poverty continues to be a pressing issue, highlighting the importance of an educational system that supports the development of a more sustainable future. Education plays a vital role in advancing sustainable development by equipping individuals with the knowledge and abilities required to address intricate global problems. The effectiveness and success of a school’s education for sustainable development initiatives are largely determined by the leadership of the school principal. To effectively implement education for sustainable futures and ensure the integration of sustainability in the educational experience, the principal, as the instructional leader, must possess specific competencies.
The research design chosen for this study was a case study, with data collected through interviews. The participants included five primary school principals and one secondary school principal, all of whom had functional school food gardens. The study was carried out in six schools situated in the Tshwane region of South Africa.
The findings revealed that school principals already possess many of the essential competencies required as instructional leaders to implement education for sustainable futures through school food gardens. However, there is still room for further development and improvement in particular areas and some of the necessary competencies were lacking. With the right training to build these competencies, principals have the potential to excel in leading the successful establishment of thriving school food gardens. Successfully implementing education for sustainable futures in schools offers substantial benefits by empowering future generations to become self-sufficient members of society. Education for sustainable education is crucial for protecting the well-being of future generations. Therefore, it is vital that the Department of Basic Education supports school principals in developing their skills, empowering them to effectively implement education for sustainable futures through school food gardens.