The Learning Performance of Indigenous Students in Nepali Private Schools: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

One of the primary goals of schools is to improve the students' learning performance. Considering the factors associated to students' indigeneity contributing to their learning performances, this study explored the learning performances of 'indigenous' (Janajati) students in Nepali private secondary schools. Grounded in Bourdieu's (1986) cultural capital theory, the investigation employed a two-staged mixed-methods research process. In the first phase, longitudinal data (grade XII exam results) of 770 students between 2015 and 2019 at a case study school in Kathmandu were obtained and analysed. The quantitative results yielded from the descriptive analyses revealed that Janajati students, namely the Tamang, Magar, Gurung, Rai, and Limbu students included in the study, had a lower academic performance as compared to their non-Janajati counterparts. These results are consonant with overall national patterns in Nepal. In an attempt to explain these differences, a sequential qualitative study was undertaken through indepth interviews with five participants (three students and two teachers affiliated to the case study school from the same indigenous groups). For analytical purposes, factors influencing students' performance were grouped into home-related and school-related themes. The study showed that home-related factors were more prevalent than the school-related factors in the students with lower learning performances. While family economic backgrounds and parental education also had a role to play, cultural factors (such as relative lack of predisposition towards education and aspiration for different occupations) were the most important factors influencing lower learning performance.

Teachers' Humanistic Role in Teaching Mathematics Online During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal

“…Regarding learning achievement, the mathematics achievement of the students was satisfactory (Mean=57.48, SD=17.15) as the average score lies in (50-60)%. While comparing these results yielded from descriptive statistics with some past studies, the findings are partially in line with the study of Khadka et al (2022). His study shows teachers' equal treatments to students irrespective of ethnicity.…”

The Participation of Indigenous Peoples in the Development of Geographical Indications: Between Orientation and Formulation

“…Sociologically, the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples is needed because the position of Indigenous Peoples is increasingly marginalized due to industrialization. 20 Industrialization made Indigenous Peoples increasingly marginalized and even began to lose their homes and customary land. 21 That happened because industrialization was based on written legal provisions made by the state.…”

Using digital stories during COVID-19 to enhance early-grade learners' language skills

“…Likewise, language is one of the most critical skills needed for communication that earlygrade learners develop in preschool. This study focuses more on developing English language speaking skills among early learners as English has gained fame as a global language due to its geographical-historical, sociocultural, political, and economic power (Crystal, 1997;Khadka et al, 2022). It has also owned famous as a common language 'lingua Franca' for being widely used in global business, diplomacy, mass entertainment, global telecommunications, and scientific publications, as well as publishing newspapers and other books around the world (Rao, 2019).…”