To provide teachers with more practical support, 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 in target districts in Luang Namtha, Xiangkhouang, and Savannakhet provinces in October and November.

Although multigrade teaching is widespread, many teachers face challenges in planning and teaching primary lessons in multigrade classes. Teachers need to adapt lessons and activities for students of different ages and learning levels, while managing classroom time and keeping every group engaged. At the same time, multigrade classrooms create rich opportunities for students to learn from one another. Older students can support younger learners and share their knowledge and develop cooperation skills.

For teachers who are well supported, multigrade classes can also be rewarding. Ms Syvone Seirsoualy, a primary teacher from Luang Namtha enjoys the energy and variety of teaching students from different levels: “I love teaching multigrade. The class is always busy, with many activities, and I find it more enjoyable than teaching a single grade. But multigrade teaching can be very challenging. When I face a difficulty, I look at the teacher guide, watch some teacher development videos or ask other colleagues or pedagogical support staff. If I don’t teach well, my students may feel bored or less active in the classroom. That motivates me to find ways to improve my teaching!”

The new multigrade guidelines are designed to help teachers plan lessons, organise learning activities, manage time, and keep students from different grades engaged. They also provide guidance on the use of teacher guides and learning resources, classroom management and student assessment. They are organised into six practical chapters that teachers can read in any order, depending on their interest and needs.

The guidelines were developed in response to extensive research into the multigrade context in the Lao PDR conducted by the Research Institute of Educational Sciences (RIES) in 2023, with support from BEQUAL. The research identified a clear need for support and practical guidance to help teachers teach the primary curriculum effectively in multigrade settings.

RIES led the development of the guidelines with contributions from specialists from the Department of Teacher Education and Administration Development, the Department of General Education, Teacher Training Colleges and primary school teachers. Their combined experience helped ensure that the guidelines reflect the realities of primary school teachers and students. Their mission was to develop a practical manual that brings together guidance that is currently spread across different curriculum materials and continuing professional development resources.

The guidelines are now being piloted in 30 schools in BEQUAL target districts. Over the next two months, information will be collected to assess whether they are easy to understand, practical to use and relevant to teachers’ daily work.

“The Multigrade Guidelines are an important step in providing practical support to teachers who work with students from different grades in the same classroom. Through this pilot, MoES will listen to teachers’ experiences and use their feedback to strengthen the guidelines before they are finalised. This process reflects MoES’ commitment to using evidence and the experience of teachers to improve the quality and relevance of support provided to schools across Lao PDR. The guidelines are expected to be formally approved by the end of 2026 and ready for use from Semester 2 of the 2026–2027 school year,” said Mr. Vongphet Oudomlith, Director General of RIES.

“Multigrade teaching is challenging for teachers, particularly in remote areas, but it’s a reality in many classrooms across Lao PDR. The pilot reflects MoES’ leadership in responding to the needs of teachers and schools and the strength of the Laos–Australia partnership, working together to ensure teachers have the practical support they need so that every child has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and reach their full potential. By building on local experience and expertise, these guidelines will help strengthen sustainable education improvement for future generations,” said Mr Michael Currie, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy.

KPL