TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD): BASIS FOR A STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Keywords:
transformational leadership, Education for Sustainable Development, ESD implementation, school leadership, sustainability education, mixed-methods research, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, curriculum integration, teaching and learning strategies, community and stakeholder engagement, student participation and advocacy, professional developmentAbstract
Advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has become a strategic focus in contemporary education, stressing the integration of sustainability principles into teaching, learning, and institutional practices to build lifelong learning and sustainable communities. This study explored the relationship between transformational leadership and the implementation of ESD in public secondary schools in Mandaue City for the 2025–2026 academic year. Anchored on Bass's Transformational Leadership Theory and the UNESCO ESD Framework, it analyzed the role of leadership in facilitating sustainability initiatives. With 114 participants, data were collected through the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and qualitative interviews. Results indicated a very high level of transformational leadership among school heads, a strong positive correlation (r = 0.76, p < .001) with high ESD implementation, and highlighted the significance of leadership support in overcoming challenges. The findings underscore the role of school leadership in advancing sustainable development goals by fostering environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and transformative educational practices.
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