Fostering Teachers' Own "Inquiry" to Support Children's Learning, Across Borders.

Certified Non-Profit Organization SALASUSU has been selected for the Japan Foundation's "Grant Program for Strengthening Japan-ASEAN Global Partnerships" and will launch a cross-border training program in 2026 where educators from both Japan and Cambodia can learn from each other.

Prior to the project's commencement, we are recruiting 8 participants from Japan and will hold online information sessions.

Creating a Space for Teachers to Continue Learning as Inquiry-Based Learning Expands

In recent years, Japan has seen the advancement of practices in "inquiry-based learning" and "individually optimal learning," leading to increased interest in education where children learn autonomously. Consequently, discussions are expanding on the importance of teachers themselves reflecting on their practices and continuing to learn while enhancing their expertise.

SALASUSU has been involved in teacher development centered on lesson study and collaboration with public schools in Cambodia. This program is an initiative to open the knowledge gained through these practices to learning with Japanese educators, creating a space where practical knowledge circulates across borders and positions.

We aim to foster learning that leads to improved practices and educational reforms in each of their respective educational settings by having educators from Japan and Cambodia visit each other's sites, share and verbalize practical knowledge through dialogue, lesson observation, and Participatory Action Research (PAR).

[Comment] Field Director Nanako Sudo

"Working with teachers in Cambodia to develop lessons, we have repeatedly felt that educational reform does not progress solely by delivering new methods in one direction. There are many wisdoms and innovations cultivated by teachers in their daily interactions with children. However, opportunities for these to be shared beyond schools and communities, to become mutual learning, or to lead to educational reform are not abundant.

Through repeated dialogues with Japanese educators, we have heard voices expressing a desire for "companions with whom they can comfortably discuss their own practices" and "a wish to learn from each other beyond schools and communities," despite the differences in systems and environments.

We believe that educational reform begins not only with systems but also with the relationships of learning between people. This program is a challenge to foster a "learning community" where educators from Japan and Cambodia learn from each other's sites and circulate practical knowledge."

A Two-Year Program Involving 16 Educators from Japan and Cambodia

This training program is a retreat-style training and research program involving a total of 16 participants (8 from each country), including teachers, researchers, education administrators, educational organizations, and corporate representatives from both Japan and Cambodia.

Over approximately two years, participants will engage in lesson observation and dialogue while visiting each other's school sites, as well as practice Participatory Action Research (PAR).

The entire program is designed based on Theory U, deepening learning by questioning one's own educational philosophy and mental models.

Three Pillars of the Program

1. Learning Journey (Cross-border Retreat)

In the first year, participants will visit educational sites in Japan for approximately one week, and in the second year, in Cambodia.

Through lesson study, observation of children's learning, and dialogue among participants, they will re-examine their own educational practices.

*The specific dates for the Learning Journey will be determined based on the convenience of participants, stakeholders, and host sites. For the Learning Journey in Japan, which will be held in the first year, the overall program is planned to be conducted mainly on weekends to make it easier for current teachers and others to participate. For weekday programs, Japanese participants are expected to join as their schedules allow.

2. Participatory Action Research (PAR)

Each participant will set a question from their educational setting as a research theme and will alternate between practice and research under the mentorship of educational researchers from both Japan and Cambodia.

The results are planned to be disseminated to society through methods such as photovoice, academic presentations, photo exhibitions, and policy recommendation reports.

3. Online Platform

An online platform (Notion, etc., planned) will be utilized for online sessions and information sharing, allowing for the sharing of lesson records, dialogues, and PAR progress.

We aim to foster a community that can continue learning not only during the program period but also after its completion.

Recruitment Overview

Number of Openings

8 participants from Japan

Costs Associated with Program Participation

Costs related to the program's face-to-face training, such as transportation, accommodation, visa fees, and event participation fees, will be covered by the organizer.

*Other expenses (passport acquisition/renewal fees, etc.) will be the responsibility of the participant.

Target Applicants

Teachers at Japanese elementary, junior high, and high schools (public or private, any school type or subject)

Education administration officials

Representatives from educational organizations and companies

Educational researchers

Application Requirements

Ability to actively participate until the end of the program period

Obtain consent for participation from the head of your school or organization (formal approval after being selected)

Motivation to communicate with participants across borders (fluency in English is not required)

Desire to contribute the learning from the program back to Japanese educational settings

Willingness to use online tools such as Notion and Zoom

How to Apply

Please review the recruitment guidelines, fill out the required information on the application form, and upload your resume.

Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNkViTQMjP8sZmHoM06Fnov9p936kMeVHuSe9EXjMl5ieZ3Q/viewform

Application Deadline

July 20, 2026 (Monday) 19:00 (Japan Time)

Online Information Session

We will hold online information sessions to explain the background and content of the program, as well as how to apply.

Date and Time

1st Session: July 8, 2026 (Wed) 16:00 - 17:30

2nd Session: July 12, 2026 (Sun) 11:00 - 12:30

3rd Session: July 14, 2026 (Sun) 20:00 - 21:30

*All sessions will cover the same content. *Entry and exit are possible during the session.

Method of Holding

Zoom (Online)

Session Content (Tentative)

Background and objectives of this program

Details and schedule of the two-year program

Selection process

Q&A

Participation Application

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcBzeO1_DjkzpyTG_y5EAtlgpA239p_auJhTUnwqr28OUMlA/viewform

Selection Schedule

July 2, 2026 (Thu) - July 20, 2026 (Mon) 19:00: Application period

Late July 2026: Online interviews for candidates who pass the document screening

Early August 2026: Notification of selection results

Late August 2026: Confirmation of formal participation approval from the applicant's institution

About SALASUSU

Certified Non-Profit Organization SALASUSU is a certified NPO from Japan primarily active in Cambodia.

With the vision "Enjoy your life journey - Towards a society where everyone can enjoy their life journey," we aim to deliver high-quality learning to all children through public education.

We promote initiatives that connect teacher education practice and research, utilizing Japanese-originated school reform methods centered on lesson study, and engage in educational reform through collaboration with public education.

Through this program, we aim to foster a community where educators from both Japan and Cambodia learn from each other, and the practical knowledge cultivated in their respective fields leads to educational reform.

Inquiries regarding this matter

Certified Non-Profit Organization SALASUSU

Public Relations

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://salasusu.com/

note: https://note.com/salasusu