Author: Anil Bera
Abstract: Social education—an umbrella term encompassing civic education, values education, environmental education, social and emotional learning (SEL), and community-based learning—plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes, skills, and behaviours that underpin sustainable development and human welfare. This research article synthesises theoretical perspectives, conceptual links, pedagogical mechanisms, and policy implications to demonstrate how social education contributes to economic, social and environmental sustainability. It reviews pathways through which curricula, school culture, out-ofschool programmes and community partnerships produce individuallevel competencies (critical thinking, empathy, civic responsibility), group-level capacities (social cohesion, collective action) and system-level outcomes (inclusive governance, resource stewardship). The paper discusses empirical evidence from cross-disciplinary literatures, highlights barriers and trade-offs, and proposes a multi-scalar research and policy agenda for integrating social education with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Practical recommendations for educators, policymakers, and civil society are offered, together with directions for future research.
Keywords: Social Education, Sustainable Development, Human Welfare, Civic Education, Environmental Education, Social-Emotional Learning, SDGs.
Page No: 99-105