The Case of Dakhadayevsky District, Dagestan
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is not just a trendy term but a necessity for modern rural territories. In conditions where human activity threatens the fragile ecological balance of our planet, education becomes a key tool for survival and development 1 . These issues are particularly relevant in rural settlements, where educational institutions often become the only centers of knowledge and cultural development.
Dakhadayevsky District represents a unique area for research
Combining rich cultural traditions with modern challenges
Education as a catalyst for sustainable development models
Dakhadayevsky District of the Republic of Dagestan represents a unique territory for researching the relationship between education quality and sustainable development. The specificity of rural settlements in this region—combining rich cultural traditions with modern challenges: youth migration, the need to combine traditional ways of life with innovative approaches to farming. In this article, we examine how assessing education quality can contribute not only to knowledge transfer but also to the establishment of a sustainable development model that considers the ecological, social, and economic aspects of life in Dagestani villages.
According to UNESCO's "Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030" program, this approach aims to empower through knowledge, skills and values to protect the planet and create a more just society 1 . ESD doesn't just add elements of ecology to curricula but transforms the educational process itself to prepare students for making responsible decisions considering both current and future needs.
Education quality in the modern understanding is not only students' academic knowledge but also their ability to apply this knowledge in real life, to solve complex problems faced by their community 2 .
In the Russian Federation, including the Republic of Dagestan, education quality assessment is carried out through a system of federal and regional studies.
For rural schools in Dakhadayevsky District, a contextual approach to quality assessment is important, considering not only compliance with federal standards but also education's contribution to the sustainable development of the specific territory.
The introduction of sustainable development modules adapted to the specifics of Dakhadayevsky District over the academic year will increase not only students' subject knowledge but also their motivation to apply this knowledge to solve local problems.
| Group | Number of Schools | Number of Students | Age Range | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental | 3 | 147 | 13-16 years | Implementation of ESD modules |
| Control | 3 | 152 | 13-16 years | Traditional program |
To test the hypothesis that integrating sustainable development principles into the educational process improves its quality and significance for the local community, a natural pedagogical experiment was developed and conducted 3 . Unlike a laboratory experiment, a natural experiment is conducted without disrupting the educational process, which is especially important in rural school conditions where the educational environment is closely connected with village daily life.
The experiment showed significant differences in the dynamics of educational results between the experimental and control groups.
Assessed through diagnostic works developed considering Federal State Educational Standards requirements and regional component:
| Subject | Experimental Group (Before) | Experimental Group (After) | Control Group (Before) | Control Group (After) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | 62% | 78% | 61% | 65% |
| Biology | 59% | 82% | 58% | 63% |
| Social Studies | 55% | 75% | 56% | 60% |
+16% improvement
+23% improvement
+20% improvement
The most significant result was the change in student project activity aimed at solving local problems:
| Indicator | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Number of implemented socio-ecological projects | 9 | 2 |
| Participation in district/republican competitions | 67% | 24% |
| Projects receiving local administration support | 3 | 0 |
| Students planning to connect professional activity with village development | 41% | 18% |
The analysis of results confirmed the effectiveness of integrating sustainable development principles into the educational process of rural schools. Students in the experimental group not only showed higher subject results but also demonstrated increased learning motivation through understanding the practical significance of knowledge, development of critical thinking and ability to analyze complex problems, and formation of an active civic position and responsibility for their territory's development.
For conducting research in the field of education quality assessment for sustainable development, various tools are needed which can be divided into several categories:
The conducted research demonstrates that education quality assessment in rural settlements of Dakhadayevsky District should not be limited to traditional metrics. Integrating sustainable development principles into the educational process not only improves students' academic results but also forms competencies necessary for solving complex problems of their villages.
Development of a system for monitoring long-term education influence on socio-economic development of rural territories
Models for preparing teachers to implement ESD concept in rural school conditions
Mechanisms for integrating traditional knowledge of mountain communities with modern scientific approaches to sustainable development
Education focused on sustainable development is not an additional burden for rural schools but a strategic investment in the future of Dagestani villages, allowing to preserve their uniqueness while ensuring decent quality of life for current and future generations.