A Study of the Significance of ESD in Public Education Systems: An Analysis of the Discourse on ‘Competency Models’ in Germany

Abstract

  The comprehensive character of ESD makes it difficult to see clearly its relationship with public education systems. Trends such as globalization increasingly exert influence on the education system in Germany. It is important for those who are responsible for ESD to question the value of their ESD activities and to seek out evidence for its benefits, thus examining their education systems objectively. The keyword ‘competency’ becomes important here. This essay will examine the foundation and the values of ESD activities in the German education systems from the perspectives of the German discourse on competency models.