MANGEMENT OF SMALL SCHOOLS BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF SCHOOLS AS LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Abstract

              This academic article examines the concept of the School as a Learning Community (SLC) as a framework for managing and developing small schools to overcome various limitations that directly affect the quality of education and student achievement, such as limited budgets, shortages of qualified teachers, and constraints in resources. The SLC concept is proposed as a pathway to enhance educational quality and reduce inequality through innovation and participation from all stakeholders.  Rooted in John Dewey’s philosophy of democracy and further developed by Sato Manabu, the SLC framework comprises three key components: (1) a shared vision that positions the school as a place of learning for everyone, (2) a philosophy grounded in publicness, democracy, and excellence, and (3) a system of activities that includes collaborative classroom learning, professional learning communities (PLCs) for teachers, and active participation of parents and the community.The application of SLC principles in small schools can be implemented through four main strategies: 1) Building a shared vision and mutual agreements among all stakeholders. 2) Developing teachers and classrooms through PLC practices and open classrooms. 3) Fostering collaboration with the community by engaging local participation and utilizing community resources. 4) Implementing flexible and effective school management through decentralization and continuous evaluation. By applying the SLC model, small schools can effectively address personnel and resource shortages, create learning experiences that respond to students’ needs, foster a culture of democracy, and sustainably improve student outcomes. Studies and case evidence demonstrate that the SLC concept is a powerful tool to transform the weaknesses of small schools into strengths by leveraging social capital and community potential to drive inclusive and equitable education, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.