The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in Fostering Sustainable Education | Nde Lovert

Social entrepreneurship involves the creation of innovative enterprises to make a positive and sustainable impact on society and/or the environment. A social entrepreneur is someone who recognizes a societal problem—whether at the community, national, or global level—and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage a venture to drive positive change. Success for a social entrepreneur is measured in terms of social impact.

Education for sustainability has been described by the Brundtland Foundation as a system that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Another perspective defines it as a holistic educational approach that equips learners with the skills, values, and knowledge needed to tackle the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the 21st century.

For me, education for sustainability means building responsible, engaged individuals who care deeply about their communities and the world. It’s about fostering an educational approach that empowers learners to make a lasting positive impact.

Reconciling both definitions, it becomes clear that achieving sustainable education requires teachers to adopt the mindset of social entrepreneurs. I believe every teacher should be a social entrepreneur.

Here’s my story of teaching at Government Secondary School (GSS) Njilah:

During my early years as a Physics teacher, I observed that 90% of my students—particularly those in their final years—struggled with Physics concepts. The poor performance in my subject deeply affected me both professionally and personally. Determined to understand the root causes, I conducted door-to-door visits and focus group discussions with parents and siblings of the students. I discovered that key challenges included language barriers, inability to pay school fees, and studying in less-than-ideal home environments.

In response to these challenges, I implemented several creative solutions: Instead of diving straight into Physics, I began with English and Mathematics, creating a strong foundation that helped students better understand Physics concepts. This approach fostered a more supportive and conducive learning environment, leading to improved student outcomes.

Many students faced difficulties studying due to household chores and a lack of proper lighting. I collaborated with Mr. Njini Daniel to organize a community sensitization campaign, promoting the use of renewable energy devices as cost-effective alternatives to grid electricity. This initiative lit up 60% of students’ homes, significantly enhancing their ability to study.

Recognizing that parents’ traditional farming methods were insufficient to meet their financial needs, I developed a project to introduce modern farming techniques. This project won a $5,000 grant through the Tony Elumelu Foundation 2019 Entrepreneurship Program. The resulting agribusiness initiative educated local farmers on innovative practices that increased crop yields and reduced food insecurity. This improved the community’s economic situation and made my Physics teaching more relevant and engaging.

The outcomes were remarkable. My school recorded its first-ever “A” grade in Physics. Additionally, my Further Mathematics students achieved a 100% success rate—the first of its kind in the institution. The following year, the batch I started teaching from Form 1 achieved a 100% pass rate in Physics. Also, some of my former students went on to create WhatsApp groups that included me, enabling me to continue advising and guiding them. Thousands of my former students are now excelling in their workplaces and making meaningful contributions to their communities.

From my experience, I can summarize the role of social entrepreneurship in education as follows:

1. Improves student performance

2. Bridges the gap between the educational system and the community

3. Encourages teachers to innovate in their teaching methods

4. Inspires students to develop interest and hope in learning

5. Positions teachers as role models for students

6. Enhances community development

   
   

Social entrepreneurship in education is not just about solving academic challenges but also about addressing broader community issues. By integrating social entrepreneurship principles, we can create a more sustainable and impactful educational system for current and future generations.

Nde Lovert

Fullbright TEA Alum

Country Director, Jumpstart Academy Africa

Reimaginer Educator (by Oscars of Education)

International ACAC Member

Environmental Engineer/Physics Tutor

Founder of Wemakit Farm