Developing an analytic hierarchical process-based tool for assessing sustainability in public schools: a developing country context

Sustainability and the seventeen sustainable development goals (17SDGs) are gaining increasing importance in different contexts in the globe. Among them are SGD 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). To promote these goals, this study aims to develop a reliable tool to assess the economic, environmental and social sustainability in public schools in Palestine, based on the analytic hierarchical process (AHP) approach. To this end, primary data were collected from a random sample of 70 schools via personally administered questionnaires answered by school principals. A school sustainably assessment tool (SSA-tool) was developed based on the analytic hierarchical process (AHP) results using Expert Choice 11 software. The AHP results revealed that environmental, economic and social sustainability weights are 30.3%, 36.5% and 33.2%, respectively. Also, a comparison of the SSA-tool’s weights with other international rating systems, namely, LEED, CASBEE, BREEAM and GP-tool was conducted. To facilitate the use of the SSA-tool, an Excel template of the SSA-tool was developed and validated. The study concludes with recommending specific implementable actions in each sustainability dimension.