Professional Development Strand

Unit: Multigrade Teaching (College Option)

Module MG.1 Introduction to

Multigrade Teaching

Lecturer Support Material

ii Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

Acknowledgements
Materials written and compiled by Lynne Hill.

In consultation with:
Kautil Mileng
Joe Lipu

Incorporating suggestions from staff of:

Madang Primary Teachers College
Holy Trinity Primary Teachers College
Kabaleo Primary Teachers College
St. Benedicts Primary Teachers College
Balob Primary Teachers College
Dauli Primary Teachers College
Gaulim Primary Teachers College
Papua New Guinea Education Institute

Layout and diagrams supported by Nick Lauer.

Date: 9 November 2002

PASTEP
Primary and Secondary Teacher Education Project
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
GRM International

Papua New Guinea-Australia Development Cooperation Program

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Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade iii

Unit outline

Unit # Modules

MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

Unit MG
(Core)

Multigrade MG.2 Managing the Multigrade Classroom

Teaching (Core)

MG.3 Teaching in the Multigrade Classroom

(Core)

Icons

& Read or research

@ Write or summarise

F Activity or discussion

i Suggestion or comment for lecturers

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iv Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

Table of contents

The Multigrade Teaching Module .............................................................................1

Introduction...................................................................................................................1
Rationale....................................................................................................................1
Objectives .................................................................................................................2
How to use this material ............................................................................................2
Assessment ..............................................................................................................2
References...................................................................................................................3
Introduction to Multigrade Teaching .......................................................................4
What is Multigrade teaching?.....................................................................................4
What is the difference between Multigrade, Multiage and Composite groups? .......4
What Multigrade is Not..............................................................................................5
What might be different in a Multigrade classroom?................................................5
Multigrade policy and practices in PNG schools .....................................................6
Why is there a need for Multigrade teaching? ..........................................................6
Problems of access ..................................................................................................7
Some more reasons for the adoption of Multigrade practices .................................8
Possible effects of Multigrade teaching ....................................................................8
What other advantages can Multigrade teaching offer?...........................................8
Structuring the Multigrade school / class...................................................................9
Does the Department of Education have a policy on the formation of Multigrade
schools?..................................................................................................................10
What changes are still to be made which will affect the implementation of
Multigrade programs?.............................................................................................11
Structuring the Multigrade classroom .....................................................................12
Summary ................................................................................................................... 13

Lecturer Support Material

Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade 1

The Multigrade Teaching Module

Introduction
This guide provides additional ideas for teaching and assessing Module MG 1 Introduction
to Multigrade Teaching.
Please take note of the following:
• It is important to read the module first, to decide what materials you will use, and what
tasks and activities you will set for the students. It is also important to see how this
module fits within the complete unit.
• The material is written as a resource for the teaching of this module.
• Do not expect students to work through the total module alone. There may be too
much material and they will need assistance in determining the tasks required.
• The activities: Many of the activities have a number of questions to discuss and tasks
to do. They are included to provide some ideas and stimulus, not necessarily to
complete every part of each activity.
• The activities provide a focus for learning, and some may be suitable for developing
into assessment tasks, but the activities are not written to be used as the assessment
program. Ideas for assessment tasks are provided in this material.
• Suggested time allocations are provided to give some idea of how this module fits in
with the others in this unit. Lecturers have the flexibility to select material and use it in a
way that will fit within the lecture program.
• The Lecturer Support Material is the same as the Student Support Material, with
additional notes included in the text boxes.
• Additional readings included as an appendix are included as additional information for
lecturers. These may be photocopied for students where appropriate.

Rationale
This module is one of three in the three-credit point college option Unit MG: Multigrade
Teaching. The recommended time allocation for this module is approximately 6 hours of
lectures, which could be completed in two weeks of the semester. The actual break-up of
topics and time allocation is flexible, and to be decided upon by the individual lecturer.
The remaining modules, which comprise this unit, are:
Module MG.2 Managing the Multigrade Classroom
Module MG.3 Teaching in the Multigrade Classroom

Multigrade teaching is one of the important focuses in the Education Reform program. By
adopting a Multigrade approach, access to education can be increased and teacher
deployment can be more effective.

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2 Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

Teaching in the Multigrade classroom requires a sound knowledge of curriculum, strategies for
providing student centred and group learning, and a different approach to assessment and
evaluation.
This module explores the reasons, developments and direction of Multigrade policies and
practices in Papua New Guinea schools.

Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
• define the term ‘Multigrade’
• discuss the current developments in curriculum reform, and the advantages of
Multigrade teaching to promote access to education in PNG
• demonstrate awareness of Multigrade policies and practices in PNG schools

How to use this material

This module is written as a series of topics, identified in the table of contents, and by their large
subheadings. Each topic includes some readings and activities to complete.
It is the lecturer’s responsibility to develop a course overview, according to the credit point
loading and available time within the semester for each module. As this will vary between
colleges running semester programs and those running trimester programs, lecturers will need
to select topics which are most relevant to the needs of their students.

Assessment
Assessment tasks should be developed at the unit level, recognising the development of
knowledge, skills and attitudes across the three modules that make up this unit.
The number of assessment tasks will be determined by the credit point loading given to the
unit. See the unit guide for suggestions.

Assessment tasks should take into account the different learning

styles students. Some suggested tasks for this module include:
Ask students to complete a survey, with other year levels and/or teachers in local schools to
determine the level of awareness of multigrade issues . If awareness is low, present a brief
talk to a local school on multigrade.

Hold a debate and argue the advantages and disadvantages of multigrade teaching.

Make information posters with key points concerning multigrade to be distributed around the
college classrooms and local schools.

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Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade 3

References
The student support materials contain all the readings necessary to complete the unit. These
readings have been adapted from the following texts:

National Department of Education, Papua New Guinea (1996). Education Gazette Vol. 26,
No.1, 1996

National Department of Education; Education Reform Facilitating and Monitoring Unit (1999).
The State of Education in Papua New Guinea. National Department of Education
and AusAID.

Farley, F. (1998). Multigrade Workshop Materials. Unpublished notes.

The Journal of the Multiage Association of Queensland Free to Learn Vol 6 No 1. 2000

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4 Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

Introduction to Multigrade Teaching

@ MG.1 Activity 1 i Think, pair share

strategy is useful for
promoting thinking and
Before you read on, write down what you discussion about a
understand about Multigrade teaching. Try to write topic or reading.
your own definition and what you know about Students may know
teaching and learning in the Multigrade classroom. very little, so some
Do this on your own, then share with a partner, then assistance from the
the group. lecturer may be
required.

What is Multigrade teaching?

&
It is important from the beginning to establish a common understanding of what Multigrade
teaching is, and what it involves. There are many different viewpoints and understandings of
Multigrade teaching at present amongst teachers in PNG schools. Availability of information is
limited, so teachers may form their own ideas on what Multigrade teaching involves, and they
may not be consistent with each other.
• A Multigrade class is made up of students in several (two or three) grade levels with
one teacher for an entire school year.
• Multigrade schools are those which have classes that combine students of different
ages and different abilities in one classroom.
• A Multigrade class involves students of different ages and developmental levels, with
different skills and learning abilities learning together with one teacher.
• Multigrade should remain as a class for a minimum of two (2) years but often for three
(3) years. They should have the same classroom teacher for all those years.

What is the difference between Multigrade, Multiage and

Composite groups?
When you talk to teachers or read information about Multigrade, you will come across these
different terms. Multigrade we have already defined as a class of more than one grade level
taught by the same teacher in the same room, but it is the way that the students are taught and
the organization of the teaching program that differs.

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Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade 5

Composite classes are two or more classes working in the same room with
Composite
one teacher, but usually with separate programs . For example, the Grade 4 Classes
will be following the syllabus for their grade, and the Grade 5 likewise. The
curriculum is still structured and taught strictly in separate grades. This sort of teaching is
syllabus driven; the teacher sticking rigidly to the curriculum for that level.

Most classes in PNG are already multi-age. There can be a wide range of Multiage
ages in anyone class, varying by quite a number of years sometimes. In the Classes

traditional class, all students in the class will be working on the grade
curriculum, despite their age differences. In this sense, the teaching is also syllabus driven, as
there is no special consideration for the differences in age or ability.
Multigrade
Multigrade teaching is different in two main ways: Classes

• The curriculum for the grades being combined is integrated, that is,
common elements from the different year programs are combined into one program
for the class. There is not two or three separate programs operating, just one that
provides different levels of challenge to the students
• The learning is student centred, not grade level centred, so
students have the opportunity to work at their level of ability,
through the different levels of activities provided by the
iMake sure
students
teacher. The needs of the student determine the teaching and understand the
learning; learning is student driven. difference
between these
terms.
What Multigrade is Not
• Multigrade is not one teacher running between two classrooms to teach two separate
grades with separate programs.
• Multigrade is not two classes working in isolation in the same room, seated at each
end of the classroom and being taught separate programs by one teacher.

F MG.1 Activity 2
Compare your definition with what you have just read about Multigrade. How was
your definition similar or different?

What might be different in a Multigrade classroom?

Modules 2 and 3 will provide more detail about planning and organising for the Multigrade
classroom. In this module we are exploring what we currently know about Multigrade. We will
use this information to build upon during the unit.

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6 Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

F MG.1 Activity 3
Work in groups with a sheet of butchers paper and a marker. Your lecturer will
give you one of four topics to discuss. Brainstorm with your group and record
your ideas on the chart. These will be shared with the class at the completion of
the activity.
The four topics are:
• How might the physical arrangements of the room be different in a
Multigrade classroom?
• How might the way students work be different in a Multigrade
classroom?
• How might the teachers program be different in a Multigrade
classroom?
• How might the responsibility for teaching and learning be different in the
Multigrade classroom?

Multigrade policy and practices in PNG schools

Why is there a need for Multigrade teaching?

&
The following reading is a summary of a newspaper article. Read it carefully.

Multigrade Teaching adopted under i Provide

Reforms some reading
strategies to
By Barbara Masike
ensure
students
Low enrolment rates in rural areas and shortage of teachers are two
understand
major problems leading to children being turned away from school. In what they are
most cases the results are pathetic as children miss out on getting reading eg,
into school at their required age. While some might start later, finding the
others give up because they feel out of place with younger children. main points,
summarising
The re-introduction of Multigrade teaching is a policy which allows
a paragraph in
more access for children. Small class intakes or small groups can
groups etc.
be combined to form one class, rather than missing a grade or
having bi-annual intakes.
Multigrade teaching is designed to assist with the teaching of more
than one grade by one teacher. The system will be useful in rural
areas where enrolments are low. Schools in urban centres will not
need to apply Multigrade teaching as enrolments are usually high.

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Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade 7

Multigrade teaching also strengthens the use of vernacular as

specified in the education reforms. Grouping children into language
groups encourages them to communicate and comprehend their
learning situations in a friendly environment, The children are also
encouraged to learn themselves and not depend on the teacher at all
times.
Teaching in a Multigrade classroom requires special skills or
strategies to organise classrooms better and produce the best
outcomes for students; teachers and the community at large.
Post Courier, 22 August 2000.

F MG.1 Activity 4
What are your opinions on Multigrade teaching? Do you think it is only suitable
for remote schools? Do you think Multigrade teaching will address the issues
and problems? Discuss with your group.

Problems of access

&
Adapted from: National Department of Education; Education Reform Facilitating
and Monitoring Unit (1999) 'The State of Education in Papua New Guinea'.
Department of Education and AusAID.

In the remote parts of the country, schools have an intake only every two or three years.
These are known as biennial and triennial intakes. Some schools have intake patterns that are
even less frequent than these. In fact, only about 40% of primary schools in the country have
an annual intake pattern, a Grade 1 class being added each year. The reason for this has
always been that there are insufficient children to make up a class group. The number for a
Grade 1 class to be formed varies from province to province but 25 was used in a number of
provinces, including New Ireland. The large number of schools without annual intakes means
that Universal Primary Education (UPE) can never be achieved in these areas.
The present situation is that teachers are allocated to Grade 1 classes based upon the number
of children. This is the correct thing to do. The same number of teachers then continue teaching
the classes as they progress through the grades regardless of the number of children that
might have dropped out on the way. As an example, there might be 60 children in a Grade
1, and so two teachers will be allocated. If 18 children drop out between Grades 1 and 6,
there will only be 42 left. There will still be two teachers allocated when there is only a need
for one.
Under the present guidelines for deployment, teachers are allocated to schools
according to grades, rather than total enrolments.

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8 Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

Some more reasons for the adoption of Multigrade practices

• Increase access to education
• Overcome the shortage of teachers
• Modernise teaching methods
• Reduce drop out rates and repetition
• Achieve Universal Primary Education
• Increase participation, cohort survival and literacy rates
• Provide incentives as a means of teacher rationalisation to meet shortfalls during the
period of reform implementation.

Possible effects of Multigrade teaching

• Increase enrolment (make annual intakes possible in small schools)
• More efficient use of facilities and resources
• Employ teachers more effectively
• Improve learning by allowing students to learn at different rates.
• Better quality of teaching.

What other advantages can Multigrade teaching offer?

• It gives students an opportunity to associate and work with others on the basis of
skills, abilities, interest, personality and age.
• It provides students with a wider range of relationship and social experiences.
• It promotes development of social skills.
• The age range is increased and so is the range of development.
• Students form friendships based on things other than age.
• Older students can help younger students with learning.
• It provides opportunities for older students to act as teachers in cross-age and peer
tutoring situations.
• Research suggests that older students tend to become more responsible and
independent learners.
• There are advantages in having the same teacher for two or more years
• Students learn to accept and tolerate others.
• It provides a more natural learning situation where students learn at their own level.
• It increases a school’s ability to place students in the most positive learning
environment because of an increased range of possible classroom organizations.

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Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade 9

F MG.1 Activity 5
Discuss the reasons and possible effects listed with your group. Choose two or
three points and together with your group, explain how this point would help
and/or how it could be achieved. Share your discussion with the group.
What disadvantages or problems could you see with implementing Multigrade
programs in schools?

Structuring the Multigrade school / class

&
Setting up the Multigrade school is the responsibility of the Headmaster. If you are in a small,
remote school, the responsibility might be yours. Setting up the Multigrade classroom is the
responsibility of the teacher(s) in a particular area of the school.

Factors which need to be identified

The principal needs to identify the following prior to the beginning of the new school year the:
1. total number of students for the year
2. total number of students expected in each grade level
3. anticipated number of teachers
4. number of classrooms.

Questions to ask:
• Which grades to combine?
• How many classes altogether?
• How many teachers?
• What classrooms?

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10 Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

Does the Department of Education have a policy on the formation

of Multigrade schools?
On the 7 March 2000, The Department of Education issued a circular from the Joint Secretary
for Education and Chairman, TSC outlining the administration of a Multigrade teaching policy
for all primary and community schools.
Extracts from this circular are reprinted below.

Multigrade Teaching: Circular No. 1 of 2000

Purpose
The purpose of this circular is to direct and inform all Education Authorities
including heads of institutions and teachers in member schools within the
National Education system about the Multigrade Teaching Policy to be
effective in January 2001 for primary and community schools. Within the same
period, 2001, the policy will be trialled in selected Elementary Schools to
determine the extension of the policy implementation to Elementary schools.

Rationale
The following are the major reasons for introducing Multigrade Teaching Policy.
These include:
? To compensate teachers in primary and community schools who are
appointed to carry out Multigrade teaching duties and responsibilities.
? To formalise the process and procedures necessary for provinces and
schools with continuous low enrolment and teacher shortage problems to
implement multigrading.
? To provide an incentive for teachers to take up teaching in registered
primary and community schools taking Multigrade classes.
? To institute a more cost-effective strategy for teacher deployment in
PNG

Implementation
The successful implementation of this policy will require all appointing
authorities to adhere to the following procedures. These include:
? All provinces to formulate and produce an Annual Multigrade Plan
? To plan in advance which teaching positions in primary/community
schools will be required to undertake Multigrade classes. A separate
TSC Form 26 must be completed for abolition and creation of
positions for each school taking Multigrade class or classes
? To accurately provide the following information to prevent unnecessary
delays for registration and implementation:
? The name and location/code of the school
? The name and file number of teacher(s) to be engaged in Multigrade
teaching
? The grades which are to be combined and the enrolment of each
Multigrade class

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Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade 11

? The redundant position(s) to be abolished

? The total enrolment by grade including the Multigrade class(s) in the
school

It is to be expected that the process of creation and abolition of positions

through the use of TSC Form 26 will result in the lowering of the official level of
each registered Multigrade primary and community schools, unless otherwise
directed by the TSC for the school to retain its current status for the period. An
annual Provincial Multigrade Plan and effective management skills of Provincial
Education Advisors will be necessary to continuously monitor and control the
proper planning, budgeting and appropriations for teachers’ salaries and
allowances for each province.

Payment of Allowance
The Multigrade Teaching Allowance is payable at 10% of the annual gross
salary of the position to which the teacher is appointed. It shall be payable on
a ‘one – off’ basis upon the completion of the TSC Form 36 by the teacher.

Provincial Responsibility
The Division of Education in each province is responsible for the administration
of Multigrade teaching which includes planning, budgeting and registration of
schools. It is also a provincial responsibility to ensure that necessary training
is conducted for Multigrade teachers before Multigrade teaching is formally
introduced. The Papua New Guinea Education Institute (PNGEI) may be
consulted to assist in providing or facilitating Multigrade teaching courses to
suit specific provincial requirements.

i Organise a visit from a representative of the Provincial Education Office in your

area to discuss Multigrade plans for your Province.

What changes are still to be made which will affect the

implementation of Multigrade programs?
• Do date, there has been no policy change in the way schools are staffed. They
continue to be staffed by grades, not total enrolments.
• There are still many community schools in operation throughout PNG. Not all schools
have been able to restructure to create the elementary and primary schools of the
reform project.
• There is no policy on class size for Multigrade classrooms.

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12 Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade

F MG.1 Activity 6
A Problem for you to solve:
An enrolment example is given below.
Analyse the structure of the classes, the number of students, the number of
teachers and the available classroom space.
How could you restructure the school using a Multigrade approach to improve
the efficiency of resources at this school?

Total Enrolment – Grades 3 – 6 125 students

20 Grade 3
4 classrooms 35 Grade 4
4 teachers 15 Grade 5
50 Grade 6

Structuring the Multigrade classroom

&
Once you have been appointed to a Multigrade class, what do you need to do next?
There are many things to be considered:
• Teachers in Multigrade classes need to focus more on students as individual learners
with individual needs. They need to KNOW THEIR STUDENTS.
• Teachers in Multigrade classes need to develop their scope and sequence, year, term
and weekly programs, timetables and assessment strategies. They need to KNOW
THEIR CURRICULUM to make sure it fits the needs of the students. They need to
know how to find common elements in the curriculum to plan their learning
experiences.
• Teachers in Multigrade classes need to be able to provide a range of challenging
activities which include a range of expected outcomes. They need to provide
opportunities to work individually, in pairs and a variety of group structures. They
need to KNOW THEIR TEACHING STRATEGIES.

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Module MG.1 Introduction to Multigrade 13

F MG.1 Activity 7
Using the information in this module and your opinions discussed, organise a
debate with your group. One group should argue that Multigrade will solve the
problems of access and teacher shortage, the other that Multigrade will not.
This debate could be presented in groups and marked as an assessable task
by your lecturer. A short paper may also be required. (Your lecturer will decide
this.)

Summary

This module has introduced Multigrade teaching, defining Multigrade, understanding what
might be different in a Multigrade classroom, and PNG Education Department policies and
practices have been examined. The structuring of Multigrade schools and classrooms is a
significant change from the
traditional single grade
arrangement. It will require
the support of the Provincial
Education Administrators,
Headmasters, staff and
students.

Lecturer Support Material