SDG 4 in Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study of Faculty and Student Perceptions in Lahore’s Higher Education Sector

Abstract

This goal of this study is to explore that how permanent faculty members at Pakistani universities feel about Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which stresses that everyone should have access to high-quality, inclusive education and opportunities for lifelong learning. The study also looks at some of the specific goals of SDG 4, like 4.1 (making sure that everyone can get free, high-quality primary and secondary education) and 4.4 (helping people learn skills that will help them get a job, a good job, or start a business). The researchers used a basic random sampling method to get data through semi-structured interviews as part of a mixed-methods approach that includes both quantitative and qualitative designs. There were 20 faculty members in the study, 10 from two public universities and 10 from two private universities in District Lahore, Pakistan. The results show that most of the people who took the survey knew about sustainable development in general. However, many said that the way things are taught now does not match the goals of SDG 4 (Unterhalter, 2019). The study also included students, who were worried about not being able to get to school, having unequal learning opportunities, and the gap between what they learn in school and real-world skills. Also, the people who took part said that technology integration is still not being used enough to make learning spaces that are welcoming and useful for everyone (Faisal, et al., 2023). The findings show how important it is for both teachers and students to think positively about school for it to last. The study's findings are helpful for schools in Lahore because they show how to get teachers and students more involved in achieving the goals of SDG 4. The study also adds to the body of knowledge by describing how faculty feel about SDG 4 and what they can do in the classroom to help make it happen in higher education.