Abstract
Purpose – This study examines the implementation of multicultural education in early childhood settings in India, with a particular focus on Abdullah School in Aligarh, which serves a culturally and religiously diverse student body. It aims to address gaps in existing research by exploring how multicultural values are conceptualized and implemented, and their impact on students during early childhood, a critical developmental phase.
Methods/Design/Approach – This qualitative case study utilized classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with school staff, and document analysis. The sample included the school’s principal, teachers, and students. Thematic analysis was employed to examine multicultural education practices, categorizing data into school policies and classroom activities that promote multicultural values.
Findings – The study found that Abdullah School's approach to multicultural education is deeply rooted in principles of inclusivity, respect for diversity, and gender equality. The school integrates these values through tailored curricula for students of different religious backgrounds and promotes cooperation and tolerance through extracurricular activities. While effective, challenges related to infrastructure and societal biases were noted.
Originality/Value – This study provides a rare analysis of multicultural education in early childhood settings in India, offering insights into the effectiveness of implementing multicultural values at a formative age. It highlights the unique socio-cultural context of India and offers practical models for fostering inclusivity and social harmony in diverse societies.
Practical Implications – The findings suggest that schools with diverse populations can adopt dual-track curricula and extracurricular activities that emphasize respect for diversity. Policymakers should focus on providing infrastructure support and resources to sustain effective multicultural education.
Keywords Multicultural education, early childhood, inclusivity, India, diversity
Paper type Research paper
Keywords
References
Banks, J. A. (1991). Multicultural Education: Its Effects on Students’ Racial and Gender Role Attitudes. In J. P. Shaver (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning. Macmillan Publishing Company.
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Dryden, G., & Vos, J. (2000). Revolusi Cara Belajar: Belajar Akan Efektif Kalau Anda dalam Keadaan Fun. Kaifa.
Kurian, N. (2024). Building inclusive, multicultural early years classrooms: Strategies for a culturally responsive ethic of care. Early Childhood Education Journal, 52(5), 863–878.
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Lawrence, D. (2004). Education in Values and Spirituality. Brahma Kumaris Educational Society.
Mehta, V. (2013). Literature-Oriented Multicultural Education in India. Children’s Experiences with a Task-Based Folklore Lesson. Multicultural Education, 20(2), 53–58.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Mullally, S. (2004). Feminism and multicultural dilemmas in India: Revisiting the Shah Bano case. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, 24(4), 671–692.
Murfi, A. (2014). Bias Gender dalam Buku Teks Pendidikan Agama Islam dan Kristen. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 3(2), 267–287.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Sage Publications.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
Licensing
©️ 2024 The Author(s). Published by Global Educational Research Review.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
The terms of this license allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript or Published Version in institutional or subject repositories by the author(s).
Reprints and Permissions
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Permission is not required to reuse this article, in part or whole, as long as proper
attribution is given
to the original work.
Keywords
References
Banks, J. A. (1991). Multicultural Education: Its Effects on Students’ Racial and Gender Role Attitudes. In J. P. Shaver (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning. Macmillan Publishing Company.
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Dryden, G., & Vos, J. (2000). Revolusi Cara Belajar: Belajar Akan Efektif Kalau Anda dalam Keadaan Fun. Kaifa.
Kurian, N. (2024). Building inclusive, multicultural early years classrooms: Strategies for a culturally responsive ethic of care. Early Childhood Education Journal, 52(5), 863–878.
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Lawrence, D. (2004). Education in Values and Spirituality. Brahma Kumaris Educational Society.
Mehta, V. (2013). Literature-Oriented Multicultural Education in India. Children’s Experiences with a Task-Based Folklore Lesson. Multicultural Education, 20(2), 53–58.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Mullally, S. (2004). Feminism and multicultural dilemmas in India: Revisiting the Shah Bano case. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, 24(4), 671–692.
Murfi, A. (2014). Bias Gender dalam Buku Teks Pendidikan Agama Islam dan Kristen. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 3(2), 267–287.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Sage Publications.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
Licensing
©️ 2024 The Author(s). Published by Global Educational Research Review.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
The terms of this license allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript or Published Version in institutional or subject repositories by the author(s).
Reprints and Permissions
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Permission is not required to reuse this article, in part or whole, as long as proper attribution is
given
to the original work.