Rural schooling as a perennial problem or problem of understanding spatial contexts? An engagement with spatial and regionally specific traditions of rural schooling research

This chapter provides an overview of the development, state and future challenges in rural schooling research, with an emphasis on the differences and similarities of regionally specific traditions. Examples from the Global North and South are used to illustrate and elucidate key issues for rural education and researchers. Beginning with an introduction to the history and traditions of rural education research and writing, the authors trace the development of rural education thinking through to the emancipatory social justice-informed thinking of current writers. The absence of scholarship from the Global South is noted and countered by voices from Pakistan in this chapter. The authors conclude with a consideration of how local issues of rural places connect with global ones and agree that preparing all children, rural and otherwise, for life as both local and global citizens might be the primary purpose of all education, including that in rural schools.