Global education at the teacher education level: A comparative study of views of pre-service teachers in Australia and Zimbabwe

Abstract

Current events at the global level make it necessary for global education to be taught in schools. This is because society views the education system, and schools in particular, as being responsible for getting young people to learn about globalization and what it means to be global citizens. However, research shows that teachers’ knowledge and competence are key to young people’s successful preparation as global citizens. This study compares the views of pre-service teachers in Australia and Zimbabwe concerning global education issues. Findings indicate that while the majority of participants in both countries are knowledgeable about these issues, they, at the same time, feel their institutions had not prepared them sufficiently to teach global education in schools. At the school level, global education is not well-known. Participants made recommendations that could benefit both teacher education institutions and schools on global education.

Keywords

• global education
• pre-service teachers
• collaborations
• knowledge levels
• global perspective