This study examines the role of Art Education in enhancing student engagement within Paraguayan secondary education through a school-based mural project. Situated within debates concerning the marginalisation of the arts in Latin American curricula, the research explores two primary questions: (1) How is Art Education integrated into the Paraguayan national curriculum? and (2) How can an artist–school collaborative intervention promote student engagement and pedagogical practices in socially vulnerable contexts? The study employs a qualitative design rooted in educational action research, combining documentary curriculum analysis with a case study conducted at Cándida Achucarro National School (San Antonio, Paraguay). The intervention involved thirty-four seventh-grade students collaborating with the Tetâgua Muralist Movement to design and produce a mural using the sgraffito technique. Data collection methods included participant observation, informal interviews with students and teachers, and analysis of students’ artistic outputs. Results indicate observable changes in student engagement, including heightened motivation, sustained participation, collaborative problem-solving, and an increased sense of ownership and belonging within the school. Teachers reported a transformation in their perception of Art Education, acknowledging its potential as a catalyst for interdisciplinary learning and community development. Additionally, the research highlights a structural disconnect between the formal recognition of the arts within the national curriculum and their practical application in everyday educational settings.

Authors:
Arnildo Andrés Garcete Vergara, National University of Pilar, Paraguay

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Arnildo Andrés Garcete is a paraguayan PhD in Education, currently a researcher at the National University of Pilar-Paraguay, focusing on innovative pedagogies, artistic collaboration and social transformation through art in secondary education.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andres-garcete-68970b200/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

Bookmark