'Great Conversation' for School Improvement in Disadvantageous Rural Contexts: A Participatory Case Study

From Section:
Research Methods
Countries:
Pakistan
Published:
Jun. 20, 2010

Source: Educational Action Research, Volume 18, Issue 2 (June 2010), pages 213 - 237.
 
The core empirical basis of this article is based upon the author’s recent participatory action research case study conducted in a rural school in one of the most disadvantageous districts of Sindh, Pakistan.

The article argues that the current climate in most of the schools across the country reflects 'apathy' and 'ignorance'. Although substantial initiatives have been taken by the education-sector reforms, all efforts tend to be diluted in improving quality and access to education, particularly in rural areas.
One of the obvious reasons for not achieving maximum impact through these reforms is that, mostly, they are driven from external efforts, which themselves are subject to strong criticism.

This article explores how a teacher educator may empower a rural school by engaging key stakeholders in therapeutic enquiry, utilizing 'Great Conversation' as an alternative pedagogy for school improvement and reforms.


Updated: Jan. 17, 2017
Keywords:
Action research | Educational change | Participatory research | Rural schools | School improvement | Teacher educators