School as Learning Community: Empowered Learning Community

Abstract

This academic article aims to present the concept of the School as a Learning Community (SLC) by applying the philosophy to school development within the local context. The approach emphasizes active participation from community members in the development of their community through learning processes, with the goal of building a strong and sustainable society grounded in shared knowledge and collective learning. The SLC model is considered an innovative approach to school administration, involving the co-creation of a new shared vision, ensuring every child has the right to learn, and enhancing both equity and quality in education. It encourages the use of knowledge, skills, and various competencies in the development of schools.  Findings from the study indicate that the implementation of the SLC approach comprises several key components that support school development. These include collaborative learning through Lesson Study, peer learning partnerships, mentoring and coaching systems, collaborative and participatory learning activities, and Open Classrooms, which allow external individuals to observe and engage in the learning environment. These practices embody the public philosophy that schools, as learning communities, should follow—one of the three core philosophical foundations of the SLC model.