The work of teaching is fundamental for achieving Agenda 2030, which defends the importance of improving quality in education (Sustainable Development Goal SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5) and responsible consumption (SDG 12). Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyse teachers’ self-perceived digital competence as regards their eco-responsible use of technology. A total of 259 teachers in Preschool, Primary and Secondary Education in the Valencian Community (Spain) completed the 14-item questionnaire designed and validated by Barragán et al. (2020). Added to this were two open questions. The data collected then underwent quantitative (descriptive and comparative) and qualitative (conventional and summative content) analysis. Notable among the results were the low levels of knowledge and training regarding the environmental impact of technologies and the use of preventive measures. In addition, differences were found as regards gender, with males having a more positive self-perception, especially those teaching in Secondary Education. The information about training they provided in their narratives supported the quantitative findings. Their voices also led to the uncovering of proposals on how to teach eco-responsible practices and attitudes regarding the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Finally, teacher training was identified as the main problem but also the main solution. All efforts should therefore be directed towards training teachers in the eco-responsible use of ICT following a holistic approach to sustainability.

Most universities are working committedly towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The University of Alicante (UA) (Spain) has designed a series of strategies to help crystallize its aims within these goals, including those related to gender equality (SDG 5). Given the context, the aims of this study are (1) to find out whether teachers integrate SDG 5 into their teaching and, if so, what strategies they use, (2) to analyse how they perceive the effects of this and what factors help or hinder the process, and (3) to check for possible differences in these perceptions according to sex and faculty. Some 310 teachers from all the UA faculties participated. A descriptive and comparative analysis was performed, as was a content analysis. Half of the participants were found to be implementing these strategies, with women in general and teachers from the Faculty of Humanities in particular appearing to be most aware of the subject. However, only a minority applied them on a mainstream basis. The most used strategy was inclusive language. Other strategies, such as reflecting on equality, promoting equal participation, visibilizing women in different areas of knowledge, equal treatment of students and gender research, were also present in their narratives but to only a very small degree. Improved professional development for teachers and greater student awareness of gender issues were identified as positive effects of incorporating these strategies. Participants also felt that low awareness and a lack of time and training were obstacles to the process. Universities should therefore establish specific institutional policies aimed at integrating SDG 5 as a quality indicator. Training programmes should be redesigned to take into account a more practical approach, the type of learning (classroom, online or mixed), and subsequent follow-up in the classroom to guarantee effective integration.

This paper discusses the results of a qualitative study aimed at analysing the attitudes of education students towards emotional education and the training that they receive in this area. The 122 participants were enrolled in the first year of the Teacher Training Degree in Primary Education at the University of Alicante (Spain). The study focused on their views about the relevance of emotional education in their initial teacher training, as well as their willingness to work with emotions in the future. The results suggest that pre-service teachers have favourable attitudes towards dealing with emotions in the classroom. They also recognised the importance of teachers’ training in developing pupils’ emotional competence. Additionally, they argued that their university lecturers provided them with various strategies to promote pupils’ learning about how to deal with emotions. However, they considered that this training was sparse and too theoretical. The proposals made by the participants notably included that it is essential to rely on emotional education from the earliest stages of the education system, and especially in teacher training programmes

Digital technologies play a key role in the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda. However, their contribution to this goal depends on the digital culture of society. In this context, future teachers’ knowledge of e-sustainability is of paramount importance, as the responsible and sustainable behaviour of future generations largely depends on their skills in this area. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the existence of possible differences in digital competences in sustainability among trainee teachers. The study involved the participation of 348 students in the 2nd year of their Bachelor’s Degrees in Early Childhood and Primary Education at the University of Alicante (Alicante, Spain), who filled out a questionnaire on this topic. The SPSS v. 25 statistical programme, with which a comparative analysis was carried out, was used to process the data. On the basis of the results, the students of the Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education generally presented a higher level of e-sustainable competences, especially with regard to general competences and the economic dimension of digital sustainability. Despite this, and given the small size of the differences, we conclude that there is a need to design didactic proposals to favour the acquisition of these competences among future teachers at both stages.

A prolific number of researchers have chosen to study metaphorical narratives, confirming their usefulness in educational research. The aim of this paper is to analyse the metaphorical expressions used by 68 principals from infant, primary and secondary schools in Alicante (Spain), concerning the way they see the figure of the principal and how it makes them feel. The data were processed using AQUAD 7. Results indicated a weak presence of characteristics related to social and contextual leader learning, as principals’ views tended more towards traditional models with duty predominating as a motivating force. Such views are usually associated with the experience of negative emotions. Findings highlighted the need to introduce an important cognitive and dispositional change in leadership education to ensure the development of professional skills aligned with current shared leadership models.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to seek insights into the demands and challenges faced by school principals in Spain, especially in their dealings with local education authorities.Design/methodology/approach: In all, 100 principals from public infant, primary and secondary schools in Alicante (Spain) participated in the study, which was carried out from a qualitative research perspective using deductive content analysis.Findings: Most participants noted the need to improve channels of communication with, and support from, the local education authority. They also stressed the desirability of increasing their autonomy, reducing bureaucratic tasks and improving working conditions, which is in line with the international framework. Their narratives make it clear that they remain tied to a management leadership model but actually aspire to an instructive leadership.Research limitations/implications: An absence of triangulation and the use of a single data collection technique are the limitations of this paper.Practical implications: These participants are practising professionals who are proposing ways to improve aspects of their working lives based on actual experience. Acknowledging their voices could inspire the design of policies aimed at improving the principal’s role in Spain.Originality/value: Knowledge is contributed to the area of study into proposals for improving the role of the principal, but with new and contextualised insights.