Journal of Transformative Praxis

Transforming Teaching-Learning Context: A PAR-Based School Improvement Intervention
Dhundi Raj Giri 1 * , Bharat Prasad Neupane 1 , Dhanapati Subedi 1
More Detail
1 Kathmandu University School of Education, Lalitpur, Nepal* Corresponding Author
Original Article

Journal of Transformative Praxis, Volume 6, Issue 1, June 2025, 41-55, https://doi.org/10.51474/jrtp/16646

Online publication date: Jun 22, 2025

Publication date: Jun 30, 2025

Views: 551 | Downloads: 47

How to cite this article
APA
In-text citation: (Giri et al., 2025)
Reference: Giri, D. R., Neupane, B. P., & Subedi, D. (2025). Transforming Teaching-Learning Context: A PAR-Based School Improvement Intervention. Journal of Transformative Praxis, 6(1), 41-55. https://doi.org/10.51474/jrtp/16646
Vancouver
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Giri DR, Neupane BP, Subedi D. Transforming Teaching-Learning Context: A PAR-Based School Improvement Intervention. Journal of Transformative Praxis. 2025;6(1):41-55. https://doi.org/10.51474/jrtp/16646
AMA
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Giri DR, Neupane BP, Subedi D. Transforming Teaching-Learning Context: A PAR-Based School Improvement Intervention. Journal of Transformative Praxis. 2025;6(1), 41-55. https://doi.org/10.51474/jrtp/16646
Chicago
In-text citation: (Giri et al., 2025)
Reference: Giri, Dhundi Raj, Bharat Prasad Neupane, and Dhanapati Subedi. "Transforming Teaching-Learning Context: A PAR-Based School Improvement Intervention". Journal of Transformative Praxis 2025 6 no. 1 (2025): 41-55. https://doi.org/10.51474/jrtp/16646
Harvard
In-text citation: (Giri et al., 2025)
Reference: Giri, D. R., Neupane, B. P., and Subedi, D. (2025). Transforming Teaching-Learning Context: A PAR-Based School Improvement Intervention. Journal of Transformative Praxis, 6(1), pp. 41-55. https://doi.org/10.51474/jrtp/16646
MLA
In-text citation: (Giri et al., 2025)
Reference: Giri, Dhundi Raj et al. "Transforming Teaching-Learning Context: A PAR-Based School Improvement Intervention". Journal of Transformative Praxis, vol. 6, no. 1, 2025, pp. 41-55. https://doi.org/10.51474/jrtp/16646
ABSTRACT
The teaching-learning context in the 21st century has undergone a massive transformation due to globalization and technological advancement, necessitating whole-school improvement. In this study, we report on the school improvement initiatives through participatory school intervention and their impact on school improvement and students’ learning outcomes.  This article examines the application of PAR as a transformative approach to whole-school improvement, with a focus on the context of a privately funded institutional school in Nepal. Findings indicate that PAR empowers stakeholders through its collaborative and cyclical process of reflection, planning, action, observation, and engagement with school leaders, teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders. Our school improvement intervention, utilizing PAR, resulted in the development of a shared vision, teachers’ professional development, school-community partnerships, and the creation of a welcoming learning environment, thereby improving students’ performance. This study provides valuable insights and practical tips for stakeholders and policymakers, offering guidance for holistic school improvement in similar contexts.
KEYWORDS
REFERENCES
  1. Australian Government (2015). Participatory action research. Australian Institute of Family Studies. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/practice-guides/participatory-action-research
  2. Bhetuwal, K. P. (2022). School level students' achievement in Nepal: A case analysis. IOSR Journal of Research and Method in Education, 12(5), 35–38.
  3. Bjorkman, C. (2008). Internal capacities for school improvement: Principals' views in Swedish secondary schools [Doctoral dissertation, Pedagogik]. Umea University.
  4. Carr, W. & Kemmis, S. (1986). Becoming critical: Education, knowledge and action research. The Falmer Press.
  5. Council of Europe. (2021). The reference framework of competencies for democratic culture in brief. https://www.coe.int/en/web/reference-framework-of-competences-for-democratic-culture
  6. Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson
  7. Day, C. & Sammons, P. (2016). Successful school leadership. [Book Review]: Education Development Trust.
  8. Elliot, N. (1991). Issues of class in the teaching of writing. Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy, 2(2), 18-29.
  9. ERO, (2019). Summary report. Education Review Office, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur.
  10. Ferreira, J., Ryan, L. & Tilbury, D. (2006). Whole-school approaches to sustainability: A review of models for professional development in pre-service teacher education. Canberra: Australian Government. Department of the Environment and Heritage and the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES).
  11. Filho, W. L. & Brandli, L. (2016). Engaging stakeholders for sustainable development. Springer International Publishing Switzerland. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26734-0_21
  12. Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Seabury Press.
  13. Greenwood, D. J., & Levin, M. (1998). Introduction to action research. Social research for social change. Sage.
  14. Haber, J. (2020). A whole school approach to well-being in secondary school: The perceptions of the senior leadership team [Master's Thesis]. University of Malta.
  15. Hargreaves, L. G. (2008). The whole-school approach to education for sustainable development: From pilot projects to systemic change. In J. Coriddi (Ed.), Policy and practice: A development education review (pp. 69–74).
  16. Herr, K., & Anderson, G. L. (2015). The action research dissertation. A guide for students and faculty. Sage.
  17. Hopkins, D. (2001). School improvement for real. Falmer Press.
  18. Jacobs, S. (2016). The use of participatory action research within education benefits stakeholders. World Journal of Education, 6(3), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v6n3p48
  19. Kaluzeviciute, G., Jessiman, T., Burn, A. M., Ford, T. Geijer-Simpson, E., Kidger, J., Limmer, M., Ramsay, S. E., & Spencer, L. (2021). Participatory action research on school culture and student mental health: A study portal. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20, 1–13.
  20. Kocx, A. S. (2020). Expectations from the school development model project: The opinions of the school administrators. Anatolian Journal of Educational Leadership and Instruct, 8(1), 1–17.
  21. MacDonald, C. (2012). Understanding participatory action research: A qualitative research methodology option. Canadian Journal of Action Research, 13(2), 34–50.
  22. Mafratoglu, R., Altunay, F., Kocx, A., Dagli, G., & Altinay, Z. (2023). Developing a school improvement scale to transform education into being sustainable and quality-driven. Sage Open, (1–14), https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231157584
  23. McTaggart, R. (1991). Principles for participatory action research. Adult Education Quarterly, 41(3), 168-187.
  24. Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. Jossey-Bass.
  25. Ministry of Education (2016). School sector development plan, Nepal 2016/17 – 2022/23. Kathmandu, Government of Nepal.
  26. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2022). School Education Sector Plan, 2022-2032. Kathmandu: Government of Nepal, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
  27. Morales, M. P. E. (2016). Participatory action research (PAR) cum action research (AR) in teacher professional development: A literature review. International Journal of Research in Education and Science (IJRES), 2(1), 156–165.
  28. Neupane, S. (2023). Educational development in Nepal: Issues and initiatives. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences and Education, 10(2), 72-78. https://doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.1002007
  29. Nicdao, M. F. & Ancho, I. V. (2020). Practices of the stakeholders' involvement in formulating the school improvement plan. Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Studies 20(1), 220–246.
  30. Prenger, R., Poortman, C. L., & Handelzalts, A. (2021). Professional learning networks: From teacher learning to school improvement? Journal of Educational Change, 22(1), 13–52.
  31. Reason, P., & Bradbury, H. (2008). (Eds.). The sage handbook of action research: Participative research and practice. Sage.
  32. Russell, T. & Munby, H. (1992). Teachers and teaching: From classrooms to reflection. London: Falmer Press.
  33. Schaenen, I., Kohnen, A., Flinn, P., Saul, W., & Zeni, J. (2012). 'I' is for 'Insider': Practitioner research in schools. International Journal of Action Research, 8(1), 68-101.
  34. Schildkamp, K. (2019). Data-based decision-making for school improvement: Research insights and gaps. Educational Researcher, 61(3), 257–273. https://doi.org/10.1080/001318 81.2019.1625716
  35. Selenger, D. (1997). Participatory action research and social change. The Cornell Participatory Action Research Network, Cornell University, New York, U.S.A.
  36. Simkhada, R. K. (2023). The education system in Nepal faces various challenges and issues. International Journal of Economic Perspectives, 17(1), 1307-1637.
  37. Singh, S. B. & Allison, D. J. (2016). School leadership practices of head teachers in Kathmandu. ISEA. 44(3), 75–92.
  38. Sokhanvar, Z. & Salehi, K. (2018). Participatory action research to promote educational quality: A literature review. Research and reviews: Journal of Educational Studies, 4(2), 23–34.
  39. Strickland, J. L. (2016). Community Partnerships in Urban, Title 1 Elementary Schools: A mixed methods study [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Nebraska.
  40. Thaninwong, C. & Sanrattana, W. (2022). Teachers and participatory action research for developing learning environments. World Journal of Education, 12(3), 17-19. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v12n3p17
  41. Thapa, A., Cohen, J., Guffey, S., & Higgins-D’Alessandro, A. (2013). A review of school climate research. Review of educational research, 83(3), 357-385.
  42. UNESCO (2020). Global education monitoring report summary 2020: Inclusion and education: All means all. UNESCO.
  43. Wagle, S. K. (2021). Place pedagogies, eco-spiritual cosmological, and cultural stories: Wisdom from Dharmashala, Nepal. [Doctoral thesis], Kathmandu University.
  44. Wagle, S. K., Dhungana, P., Luitel, B. C., Krogh, E., & Dahal, N. (2023). Experiencing transformative learning during participatory needs assessment of a public school: Journeys and arrivals to relational ontology(ies). The Qualitative Report, 28(12), 3553-3571. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2023.5756
  45. Wehmert, P., Kollwitz, C. Daiberl, C., Dinter, B. & Beckman, M. (2018). Capturing the bigger picture? Applying text analytics to foster open innovation processes for sustainability-oriented innovation. Sustainability, 10(3710), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103710
  46. Wehnert, P., Kollwitz, C. Daiberl, C., Dinter, B. & Beckman, M. (2018). Capturing the bigger picture? Applying text analytics to foster open innovation processes for sustainability-oriented innovation. Sustainability, 10(3710), 1-24: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103710
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors would like to acknowledge all the PAR team members and entire school team for supporting us by participating in the PAR study and providing all the required information.

LICENSE