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Environmental Stewardship Education in Tuvalu, Part 1: The Role of Policy Alignment

Author

Listed:
  • Soseala S. Tinilau

    (Department of Geography, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK)

  • Sarah L. Hemstock

    (Lincoln Centre for Ecological Justice, University of Lincoln Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK)

  • Theresa G. Mercer

    (Cranfield Environment Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, College Rd, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Matthew Hannaford

    (Department of Geography, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
    Lincoln Centre for Ecological Justice, University of Lincoln Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK)

  • Andrew P. Kythreotis

    (Department of Geography, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
    Lincoln Centre for Ecological Justice, University of Lincoln Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
    Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Hubert Lamb Building, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK)

Abstract

Environmental stewardship is crucial for fostering sustainable development, particularly in vulnerable small-island developing states like Tuvalu. Government policies and frameworks play a vital role in shaping the education system, but inconsistencies in policy alignment often hamper efforts to embed Environmental Stewardship Education (ESE) into the national curriculum. We aimed to answer four questions: 1. What formal policies shape Environmental Stewardship Education (ESE) in Tuvalu? 2. Are national educational and environmental policies mutually consistent? 3. Are these national policies consistent with regional and global policies? 4. What challenges hinder the implementation of ESE in Tuvalu? These questions were addressed using a study of regional, international, and Tuvaluan online-available documentary assessments of national policies and frameworks in conjunction with those obtained from the Education Department. Our findings revealed that a combination of Tuvalu’s environmental and educational policies was instrumental in shaping ESE. Nationally, educational and environmental policies are internally inconsistent, as well as being inconsistent externally with regional and international policies. Recommendations for improving policy alignment and the sustainable integration of ESE into the curriculum are provided. The second part (Part 2) of our review covers the development and delivery of effective curricula for ESE.

Suggested Citation

  • Soseala S. Tinilau & Sarah L. Hemstock & Theresa G. Mercer & Matthew Hannaford & Andrew P. Kythreotis, 2025. "Environmental Stewardship Education in Tuvalu, Part 1: The Role of Policy Alignment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:872-:d:1573552
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Charles Pierce & Sarah Hemstock, 2021. "Resilience in Formal School Education in Vanuatu: A Mismatch with National, Regional and International Policies," Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, , vol. 15(2), pages 206-233, September.
    2. Steffen, Will & Young, Oran R. & Grove, J. Morgan & Kofinas, Gary P. & Carpenter, Stephen R. & Folke, Carl & Abel, Nick & Olsson, Per & Smith, D. Mark Stafford & Walker, Brian & Berkes, Fikret & Biggs, 2010. "Ecosystem Stewardship: Sustainability Strategies for a Rapidly Changing Planet," Scholarly Articles 9774650, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
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    1. Soseala S. Tinilau & Sarah L. Hemstock & Theresa G. Mercer & Matthew Hannaford & Andrew P. Kythreotis, 2025. "Environmental Stewardship Education in Tuvalu Part 2: Insights into Curriculum Integration and Classroom Realities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-9, May.

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