Luang Namtha:The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), with support from the Australian Government through the BEQUAL program, is piloting new Multigrade Guidelines in 30 schools across target districts in Luang Namtha, Xiangkhouang, and Savannakhet provinces during October and November.
According to Lao News Agency, the initiative aims to provide teachers with practical support to address the challenges of multigrade teaching. This approach requires educators to modify lessons for students of varying ages and learning levels while keeping the classroom engaged. Despite these challenges, multigrade environments can offer opportunities for peer learning and skill development.
The guidelines are structured into six chapters that assist teachers in planning lessons, organizing activities, managing time, and engaging students from different grades. They also offer strategies for classroom management, the use of educational resources, and student assessment.
These guidelines were developed following extensive research by the Research Institute of Educational Sciences (RIES) in 2023, which highlighted the need for practical guidance in multigrade settings. RIES collaborated with specialists from various educational departments and primary school teachers to ensure the guidelines are practical and relevant.
The pilot project will evaluate the guidelines’ clarity, practicality, and relevance over the next two months. MoES aims to incorporate feedback from teachers to refine the guidelines before their formal approval and implementation in the 2026-2027 school year.
The pilot reflects the commitment of MoES and the Laos-Australia partnership to support teachers in multigrade environments, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. The guidelines are expected to contribute to sustainable educational improvements in Lao PDR.
