Identifying Strategies to Promote a Pedagogy of Care in Primary Schools Through a Sustainable Education Approach

Abstract

The ethics of care plays a central role in fostering compassionate and responsible school cultures aligned with sustainable education. This qualitative study aimed to identify strategies for promoting a pedagogy of care in primary schools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 teachers, educational counselors, and pedagogy experts in various districts of Tehran. Thematic analysis revealed four key strategies: enhancing meaningful interpersonal interactions, organizing group activities centered on empathy, promoting positive and supportive communication, and explicitly teaching care as an educational value. These findings offer practical implications for creating value-driven learning environments.