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Multigrade Rural Schools 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
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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
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) • 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 • 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 • 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.
International research identifies six key variables for successful teaching in rural multigrade schools: • Classroom organisation • Classroom management and discipline • Instructional organisation and curriculum • Instruction delivery and grouping • Self directed learning • 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
President Mbeki: INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY NATIONAL GOVERNMENT NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 1 Corporate Plan 2000-2004: Rural Programme 2: School Effectiveness & Educator Professionalism Project 2: Status & Quality of Teaching 2 Implementation Plan: Consolidating & Enhancing Education Initiatives in Rural Areas of South Africa. Directly linked to 4 Tirisano priorities WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MULTIGRADE RURAL SCHOOLS PROJECT Directly linked to Corporate Plan & Implementation Plan of NDoE The Intervention within the nation & province
IF The Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention • 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 THEN • The quality of teaching in mullti-grade schools will improve • Learner participants and performance in reading, writing and mental mathematics will improve
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 Professional development of teachers R E S E A R C H
Course Content • Classroom organisation and management • Literacy focussing on reading and writing • 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
Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Head office + EMDCs Wellington Clusters of rural schools Cluster management Cluster management
Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Email Cluster management Cluster management
Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Website Email Cluster management Cluster management Online learning community
Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Website Email Cluster management Cluster management Online learning community
Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Website Email Cluster management Cluster management Online learning community
Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Fileservers + databases for delivery + monitoring Website Email Cluster management Cluster management Online learning community Technical support Learning support
Ongoing communication and materials delivery 2004 EMDC HO Fileserver + database for delivery + monitoring Website EMDC EMDC Clusters Technical support Learning support
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…
WCED plan, co-ordinate, MM training, resources, videos, demonstrate DEMONSTRATION schools Training, resource development Pilot schools Key Teachers Pilot multifunctional teams Training Preparation, school visits First implementation Second implementation Third implementation Fourth implementation INTERVENTION TIMELINES DEMONSTRATIONPILOT IMPLEMENTATION 2002 Pre-Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2003 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 2002 Pre-Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2003 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
Steering Committee P Executive Committee P Assessment com Curriculum com P Evaluators MGI: Human Resources ~ a c c o u n t a b l e s t r u c t u r e s ~ ICT committee Video committee P Mental Maths task team Literacy task team P Multifunctional teams/ school training teams P PlanningImplementation P
Steering Committee P Executive Committee P Assessment com Curriculum com P Evaluators MGI: Human Resources ~ a c c o u n t a b l e s t r u c t u r e s ~ ICT committee Video committee P Mental Maths task team Literacy task team P Multifunctional teams/ school training teams P PlanningImplementation P
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
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 Multigrade school clusters 8th implementation: Jun – Sep 2004 9th implementation: Sep - Dec 2004 Expansion of the Intervention
Testing components • pre and post tests of basic skills • standardised tests • external project evaluation
Aligning the Intervention life cycle with appropriate evaluation activities Pilot version of Intervention implemented [Partial coverage of target group] Standard version of Intervention implemented at scale Conceptualisation and design of Intervention Programme Intervention outcomes/ benefits Interactive process evaluation [Formative purpose] Programme Monitoring [Evaluation of delivery and proper implementation Outcome Evaluation / Impact Assessment / Cost-Benefit Analyses Evaluability Assessment Intervention Life Cycle Evaluation Activities