Multigrade RuralSchools
Intervention
Multigrade RuralSchools
Intervention
Ten years ago participants of the World Conference on
Education recognised that
more than 100 million children had no access to primary education
more than 100 million children failed to complete basic education programmes
millions more satisfied the attendance requirements but did not acquire essential knowledge and skills during programmes
Research shows that the performance levels in literacy and numeracy of children in these schools are at least a good two years behind their counterparts in developed countries
Rural Schools in South Africa
We find the same situation in our own rural schools where low numbers force educators to teach more than one grade in a single class (ie multigrade teaching)
However, because South African teachers have never been trained for a multigrade system, they still teach these classes as if the learners were all in a single grade.
Rural Schools in South Africa
To enable generations to break out of the recurring cycle of unskilled labour and resultant poverty State education must deliver learners who are able to read, write and who are numerate
International research identifies six key variables for successful teaching in rural multigrade schools:
1. Classroom organisation2. Classroom management
and discipline3. Instructional organisation
and curriculum4. Instruction delivery and
grouping5. Self directed learning6. Peer tutoring
A National Priority Educational problems in rural schools are a
national priority - our president has emphasised
the need for effective, coherent strategies
Our Intervention rests within broader strategies
addressing the problems experienced by rural
communities
The Western Cape Education Department has
approved a plan to eliminate these appalling
conditions - The Multigrade Rural Schools
Intervention
1 Corporate Plan 2000-2004: Rural Programme 2: School Effectiveness & Educator Professionalism
Project 2: Status & Quality of Teaching2 Implementation Plan: Consolidating & Enhancing Education
Initiatives in Rural Areas of South Africa. Directly linked to 4 Tirisano priorities
NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
President Mbeki: INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE RURAL
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
MULTIGRADE RURAL SCHOOLS PROJECTDirectly linked to Corporate Plan & Implementation Plan of NDoE
WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
The Intervention within the nation & province
Teachers are trained to efficiently manage and organise their
multigrade classrooms
Relevant learning programmes and resources are developed and
made available to schools
Teachers in these schools are trained to use, develop and apply
such learning programmes optimally with the support of
Information and Communication Technologies
EMDC officials are trained to provide ongoing support to such
teachers
The quality of teaching in mullti-grade schools will improve
Learner participants and performance in reading, writing and
mental mathematics will improve
The Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention
IF
THEN
Extent of the Intervention
EMDC Schools Teachers Learners
Overberg 132 355 8713
SC & Karoo
105 265 8005
WC & Winelands
87 250 8494
Total 352 876 25437
Professional development of teachers
Strategy
1 Theory at residential inservice training
2 Demonstration and practical application by peers
3 Classroom support by key teachers
4 Online support by multifunctional teams
5 Online communication, support and curriculum delivery using ICTs
6 Life-long learning and accreditation
R E S E A R C H
Course Content
Literacy focussing on reading and writing
Classroom organisation and management
Numeracy focussing on mental maths
ICT skills and online support strategies
Demonstration Viewing and discussing a series of videos to
visually demonstrate the course content
Live demonstrations and discussions with peers
Coaching and practicising of relevant skills and knowledge to build teaching expertise
Planning of lessons and learning resources
Presenting demonstration lessons to learners
Reflection
Key Teachers Select and train experienced multigrade teachers
Key teachers support classroom teachers for one week in the classroom to apply the content and strategies they’ve been taught
Provide an unthreatening, supportive learning environment for teachers
Multifunctional Teams Comprised of circuit manager, SLES,
and teacher co-ordinator Identify problems
and successes
Support classroom teachers
Supply resources and advice
Record and report on activities
WCEDProject Office
Cluster management Cluster
management
WellingtonHead office + EMDCs
Clusters of rural schools
Communications and materials delivery
Communications and materials delivery
WCEDProject Office
Cluster management
Cluster management
WCEDProject Office
Online learning community
Cluster management
Cluster management
Website Email
Communications and materials delivery
WCEDProject Office
Online learning community
Cluster management
Cluster management
Website Email
Communications and materials delivery
WCEDProject Office
Online learning community
Cluster management
Cluster management
Website Email
Communications and materials delivery
WCEDProject Office
Online learning community
Cluster management
Cluster management
Website Email
Fileservers + databases for
delivery + monitoring
Learning supportTechnical support
Communications and materials delivery
Ongoing communication and materials delivery 2004
Website
Fileserver + database for
delivery + monitoring
Learning supportTechnical support
EMDCEMDC
EMDC
Clusters
HO
Using Information and Communication Technologies
Customised software for teachers
Computer literacy training and skills
Online mentoring and facilitation
Teacher Training
Face to face training:Curriculum Development and IT Unit: Computer literacy focusing on basic computer skills including email, web browsing and use of document browser
Online training:SchoolNet SA: Specialised multigrade module focusing on online communication, accessing curriculum and resources via the web
CD Rom and print resources
Multifunctional Team Training
Face to face training:Project Team: Introductory course on cluster management, accessing and delivering curriculum and resources via the web
Online mentoring and facilitation course:SchoolNet SA:Specialised multigrade module focusing on online communication and community building, peer support,
CD Rom and print resources
Life-long Learning and Accreditation
Accredited training modules – NQF
Certification of teachers by tertiary institutions
Developing further study opportunities and courses in multigrade teaching
Promotion and career opportunities in multigrade education
Recognising the value of multigrade education - a teachers story…
INTERVENTION TIMELINES DEMONSTRATION PILOT IMPLEMENTATION
2002 Pre-Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2003 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
WCED plan, co-ordinate, MM training, resources, videos, demonstrate
DEMONSTRATION schools Training, resource development
Pilot schools
Pilot multifunctional teams
Key Teachers
Training
2002 Pre-Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2003 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
Preparation,
school
visits
First implementation
Second implementation
Third implementation
Fourth implementation
Steering Committee
Executive Committee
Literacy task team
Multifunctional teams/ school training teams
Video committee
ICT committee
Curriculum com
MG
I: H
uman
Res
ourc
es
~
a c
c o
u n
t a
b l
e
s t
r u
c t
u r
e s
~
Mental Maths task team
P
P
P
P
P
P
Planning Implementation P
Assessment com
Evaluators
Steering Committee
Executive Committee
Literacy task team
Multifunctional teams/ school training teams
Video committee
ICT committee
Curriculum com
MG
I: H
uman
Res
ourc
es
~
a c
c o
u n
t a
b l
e
s t
r u
c t
u r
e s
~
Mental Maths task team
P
P
P
P
P
P
Planning Implementation P
Assessment com
Evaluators
WCED Head Office Chief Director: Regional Services (Rural)
Chief Director: Education Planning
Director: Communication
Director: Curriculum Development
Director: Human resources
Director: Education Research
Director: Specialised Education Support Services
Director: Media Services
Manager: Khanya Project
Curriculum Planners
WCED Rural EMDCs
Director: Westcoast/Winelands EMDC
Director: Breede River/Overberg EMDC
Director: South Cape/Karoo EMDC
Chief Curriculum Advisers
Curriculum Advisers
Media Advisers
Principals and teachers
PAWC
Schools IT Unit IT Advisers
Edumedia Video production
unit Print unit DTP Unit
Project Office Project manager Operations
manager Administration
External Evaluators
Expansion of the Intervention
1st implementation: Aug - Dec 2002
2nd implementation: Nov 2002 – Mar 2003
3rd implementation: Mar 2003 – June 2003
4th implementation: Jun – Sep 2003
5th implementation: Sep – Dec 2003
6th implementation: Nov 2003 – Mar 2004
7th implementation: Mar – June 2004
8th implementation: Jun – Sep 2004 Multigrade school clusters9th implementation: Sep - Dec 2004
Testing components
pre and post tests of basic skills
standardised tests
external project evaluation
Aligning the Intervention life cycle with appropriate evaluation
activities Intervention Life Cycle
Evaluation Activities
Conceptualisation and design of Intervention Programme
Evaluability Assessment
Standard version of
Intervention implemented
at scale
Programme Monitoring
[Evaluation of delivery and
proper implementation
Intervention outcomes/
benefits
Outcome Evaluation /
Impact Assessment / Cost-Benefit
Analyses
Pilot version of
Intervention implemented
[Partial coverage of
target group]
Interactive process
evaluation [Formative purpose]
The essential focus of the Multigrade Intervention…
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