Abstract:

There is a gap in actionable strategies that effectively link educational practices with economic and social outcomes, highlighting a need to consider what framework may be developed to better align with the Sustainable Development Goals. Current literature may not sufficiently explore the varied objectives of education, particularly in balancing cognitive development with the promotion of capabilities and human development to foster sustainable development in Sub-Saharan African developing countries. Capability and human development provide a framework of analysis focused on what people can do and be to build a better society. Due to a lack of integrated theoretical perspectives in education research, existing studies may not adequately account for contextual factors, such as human capital, economic growth, and social justice conditions, that influence the effectiveness of education in achieving sustainable goals. Using a theory synthesis, this study will address the gaps in the literature by answering three key questions: What capability and human development frameworks could enhance our understanding of the role of education? By addressing these gaps, the study aims for its results and conclusions to contribute to identifying which capabilities and human development elements should be integrated into quality education to strengthen its capacity to attain sustainable development in the Sub-Saharan region. Conclusions and recommendations drawn from the findings will address how potential gaps in overlooked capability and human capital theories could be integrated into the education framework to enhance its transformative capacity for achieving sustainable development.

Keywords:

Quality education, Capabilities Approach and Human development in Sub-Saharan Africa, Sustainable development.