New Publication Resource Material for Multi-Grade Teaching

The Commonwealth Secretariat has released another publication geared towards assisting teachers across the Commonwealth.

'Resource Material for Multi-grade Teaching' was published in collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA).

It aims to assist multi-grade teachers in applying enhanced educational techniques at a multi-grade level. The seven- module resource guide was designed as part of a wider effort to assist countries to achieve universal primary education by 2015.

With half of the 115 million children, globally, deprived of the right to education living in the Commonwealth, this publication focuses on using limited resources and teaching staff to provide good quality education in a multi-grade setting.

The content focuses on what multi-grade teaching is, why it is needed, its characteristic features, and its advantages and challenges. The modules are presented in an accessible, hands-on interactive format, providing support for multi-grade, pre-service teachers and trained teaching staff. They outline case study formats and exercises for teachers to follow while working in a multi-grade environment.

"Multi-grade teaching is not a new idea. It has been a feature of the school systems of many low-income and industrialised countries for many years ... it enables governments to provide education for children living in remote or small communities," said Ann Keeling, Director of the Social Transformation Programmes Division of the Secretariat in her Preface to the Volume.

According to Ms Keeling, this publication presents one way in which governments with limited resources can fulfil their promise to provide all children with a good quality education.

The seven modules are:

Module 1: An introduction to multi-grade teaching;
Module 2: Effective teaching and learning in multi-grade classrooms;
Module 3: Classroom management and organisation;
Module 4: Approaches to teaching in multi-grade classes;
Module 5: Instructional resources and resource classes;
Module 6: Assessment and evaluation;
Module 7: Planning a programme of instruction for multi-grade classes.

Published by the Commonwealth Secretariat; ISBN: 0-85092-790-0; price: £17.50

HOW TO ORDER

This title can be bought online at www.publications.thecommonwealth.org/.

A full catalogue of Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation publications can be viewed on the website, which provides a secure online buying facility, and orders can also be made through e-mail or by post. Pre-payment is essential. Payment by sterling cheque, international money order, postal order or bank draft must accompany your order.

Payment should be in sterling, drawn on a UK bank and made out to the Commonwealth Secretariat. If you require the order form as an attachment in Word format please e-mail Domini Bingham of the Publications Section (see address below). Post and packaging charges should be added to every order in the following way: UK orders: 15 per cent of order value (minimum charge £2.00). Non-UK orders: 25 per cent of order value (minimum charge £3.50).

Send orders to: Domini Bingham, Publications Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6534; Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081; E-mail: publications@commonwealth.int

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 259, 2 November 2005

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