Balancing Economic, Social, And Environmental Dimensions in Biology Education: Integrating Sustainable Resource Management into Curriculum Design

This study explores the integration of sustainable development principles into biology education by balancing economic, social, and environmental dimensions within curriculum design. In the context of global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, biology education plays a crucial role in fostering sustainability-oriented competencies among learners. The research aims to develop a conceptual and methodological framework for embedding sustainable resource management into secondary school biology curricula. The study employs a qualitative comparative analysis of national curriculum standards and leading international frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and competency-based models such as the OECD Learning Compass 2030. Curriculum documents, learning objectives, and instructional approaches are analyzed to identify the extent to which sustainability concepts—particularly resource efficiency, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility—are incorporated. The findings reveal that while environmental aspects are relatively well represented, economic and social dimensions of sustainability are often underdeveloped or insufficiently integrated. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches, inquiry-based learning, and contextualized teaching strategies to enhance students’ scientific literacy and decision-making skills related to sustainability. Based on the results, a competency-based curriculum design model is proposed, emphasizing the integration of sustainable resource management concepts across biology topics such as ecosystems, biodiversity, and human impact on the environment. The model also supports the development of key competencies, including critical thinking, systems thinking, and responsible citizenship. This research contributes to the advancement of biology education by providing practical recommendations for aligning curriculum design with global sustainability priorities and preparing students for future environmental challenges.

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