Pedagogical Practices of Multigrade Teachers in Conducting Science Learning Activities
Pedagogical Practices of Multigrade Teachers in Conducting Science Learning Activities
, 2020
ABSTRACT
The world is on the verge of recognizing the right of every learner to quality education and learning. It
has been part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN-SDG) to open the door of
equity education for all children, especially in rural areas. Hence, this research discusses how
pedagogical practices of multigrade teachers in teaching Science learning activities are facilitated. The
qualitative research design was used in collecting data through document analysis and semi-structured
interviews. Five teachers from two multigrade schools in Bataan and Quezon provinces were the key
informants. Two major themes emerged in the study, namely: following protocol as prescribed by
DepEd and challenges in the pedagogical practices of Science teachers. The challenge of complying
with the requirements and protocol posted by DepEd, multigrade Science teachers need to adjust to
every aspect of the education process. Thus, the perennial situation of multigrade schools made them
lag in terms of pedagogical practices as compared to monograde given the limited budget allocated for
multigrade schools. However, multigrade teachers are observed to be creative and resilient.Finding
revealed that majority of the multigrade teachers need to provide learning materials out of their own
pockets to make Science learning activities possible. This study recommended revisiting the policy on
School Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of multigrade schools. In addition,
training to multigrade teachers should be conducted so that these teachers will be better equipped with
the necessary tools in teaching multigrade Science learning activities.
Keywords: multigrade teachers, multigrade learners, Science learning activities, teachers’ training
The qualitative research design was After analyzing the gathered data, the
employed in this study through the aid of theme following protocol had emerged. It was
document analysis and interviews. The method is observed from the informants’ responses that
appropriate to get the practices of multigrade they will do almost anything, make some
teachers in teaching Science since it provides in- adjustments, to follow the protocol so that they
depth analysis through an individualized will be able to carry out the lessons properly for
approach. Utilizing the interview through their students. This is very evident from the
Facebook Messenger, the researchers were able informants’ shared personal experiences in their
to investigate the submitted documents of answers.
teachers and eventually verified what happened A teacher following the protocol is one of
along the way during actual implementation. One the key aspects when it comes to the successful
of the limitations of the study is class observation delivery of lessons. The multigrade teachers are
because of the Enhanced Community Quarantine willing to follow the prescribed learning outcomes
(ECQ) in Luzon as being directed by the for the students and in preparing and carrying out
President of the Philippines due to the Covid-19 the lessons despite many challenges. This is a
pandemic. testament to the passion of these teachers.
The participants of this study were five According to Mart (2013), a strong correlation
teachers teaching multigrade Science for the exists between successful student learning and
School Year 2019-2020. Three multigrade passionate teaching. Teachers’ professional
schools were part of the study located in the engagement together with the commitment to
provinces of Bataan and Quezon. The schools students and their learning plays a significant
were determined using purposive sampling since factor in the development of students. It is a
the study is intended only for multigrade schools. known fact that teachers play a key role in the
To get pertinent information, the teaching and learning process. By following what
researchers followed an organized procedure to the curriculum requires, add to that, teachers
address the objectives set. The researchers first going beyond the call of teaching, students
analyze the documents provided by the learning will materialize more.
informants through their daily lesson log (DLL), Despite all the challenges in a multigrade
the budget of work (BOW), and Science school, the teachers are still committed to
curriculum guide as these documents are delivering the necessary Science lessons and
required by DepEd to be used and prepared for activities prescribed from the K-12 curriculum
the teaching-learning process. Multigrade provided by the Department of Education.
schools as mentioned also followed the Although they are in a multigrade class, they are
prescribed K to 12 curriculum guides for regular using the curriculum which is designed for a
schools. The researchers then conducted semi- monograde class. There are no available
structured interviews one-by-one with the five curriculums that are only intended, specifically
informants to check the actual preparation, designed, for a multigrade class. This poses quite
practices, and assessment being conducted a challenge for there is a need to consider
during teaching-learning activities in Science competencies that may differ for each class level
classes. A thematic approach was then used to inside a single multi-grade class. However, no
interpret the results. The researchers asked amount of challenges can hinder the teachers in
permission to teachers and school authorities delivering the intended lessons for their students.
before proceeding to interview and document Though challenging, they are doing their best to
analysis. meet the standards that the K-12 curriculum
P – ISSN 2651 - 7701 | E – ISSN 2651 – 771X | www.ioer-imrj.com
DE BORJA. J.M.A., SIGUA, E.M. S., MARASIGAN, A.C., Pedagogical Practices of Multigrade Teachers in
Conducting Science Learning Activities, pp.219 -228
222
IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPT., 2020
requires. Still, according to informant 4, it would needed to develop the required competencies
be better and much easier for them if there will be and skills of students.
a curriculum that is specifically intended for a Meanwhile, after carefully looking at the
multi-grade class. sample daily lesson logs of multigrade class, it
was found out that lesser competencies for each
Informant 4: “We cannot do anything grade level were covered. If this will be compared
about it but to comply with the curriculum to the daily lesson logs of monograde teachers, a
from the DepEd. You know it is really greater number of competencies were covered
challenging on our part and you can’t given the same length of time. If a grade 3 in a
help but wish to have a curriculum, a monograde class was able to cover four learning
curriculum which is for a multigrade competencies in a week, a grade 3 in a
class.” multigrade class was able to cover only two
learning competencies. This may be due to the
2. Analysis in the Preparation of multigrade fact that multigrade teachers need to cover
Science teachers in the budget of work competencies from two or more grade levels in a
(BOW) and daily lesson log (DLL) as single multigrade class as compared to a
compared to actual practice and in a monograde teacher who is only focused on
monograde class. achieving the needed competencies for a single
grade level. Multigrade teachers are now
Samples of daily lesson log and budget of challenged to cover all of the learning
work were checked to analyze the preparation of competencies that are required by the curriculum.
multigrade Science teachers for the teaching- In this scenario, multigrade students are more
learning activities. The analysis also has the likely to be at risk of finishing the school year with
capacity to examine the preparation and actual lesser competencies than those in students in a
practice of Science teachers in facilitating monograde class. If the multigrade teachers will
learning activities for students. Likewise, the be able to cover all the competencies for the
analysis was also compared to the daily lesson students, the next thing that we need to look at is
logs of teachers in monograde schools. the quality of teaching and learning. Thus, this
When the daily lesson logs and the resulted in low performance of Grade 6 pupils of
budget of work were checked, multigrade multigrade schools which are significantly below
Science teachers essentially prepared and the national standard and worse than monograde
covered the required competencies needed for schools in all subject areas covered during the
the multigrade learners to develop. As National Achievement Test in 2014.
mentioned, multigrade schools follow the
prescribed learning materials provided by DepEd 3. Challenges in carrying out the teaching and
which is the same as that of the regular learning activities in multigrade classes.
(monograde) schools though multigrade schools
are given the opportunity to deviate from the The data revealed some of the challenges
norms depending on their own locality and that these multigrade teachers are having
context. Therefore, alignment of learning content namely: difficulty in the preparation of lesson
and tasks are very evident to the said documents plans; the need to prepare so many worksheets
though there are some minor deviations from the or activity drill cards; costly reproduction of self-
standard depending on the context and needs of study materials for the students; curriculum
the multigrade students. However, some materials not suitable to multigrade class; and
alterations or changes were made during actual misalignment of the budget of work.
learning activities depending on the different To meet the needs of the K-12 Science
factors mentioned by informants during the curriculum multigrade teachers had to adjust on
interview. This hinders multigrade Science how they deliver the lessons. Teachers also must
teachers to facilitate learning activities that are
P – ISSN 2651 - 7701 | E – ISSN 2651 – 771X | www.ioer-imrj.com
DE BORJA. J.M.A., SIGUA, E.M. S., MARASIGAN, A.C., Pedagogical Practices of Multigrade Teachers in
Conducting Science Learning Activities, pp.219 -228
223
IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPT., 2020
make some sacrifices. Multigrade teachers are Quejada (2018) also found out that teachers in
challenged to cover all of the learning a remote area in the Philippines give out some
competencies that are required by the curriculum. portion of their salaries to buy the needed
Multigrade students are more likely to be at risk materials to facilitate learning. If they do not do
of finishing the school year with lesser this, students will not be able to experience
competencies than those in students in a Science activities which are very important in the
monograde class. If in case the multigrade learning of Science. Harman, Cokelez, Dal, &
teachers will be able to cover all the Alper (2016) found out that Science learning
competencies for the students, the next thing is activities like experiments enhance the quality of
to consider is to ensure the quality of teaching teaching and learning Science. According to the
and learning. Thus, potential problems towards informants, their schools do not have a specific
the acquisition and delivery of learning budget for these Science learning activities that is
competencies may arise. Ganal and Guiab why the teachers are the ones who often provide
(2014) tried to determine and analyze the the needed materials. Materials can be requested
different problems encountered by students from the schools but most of the time, these are
towards mastering learning competencies in not available.
mathematics. Their study revealed that in
mastering learning competencies, problems such Informant 1: “Science activities,
as students developing negative attitudes or lack mostly if there are materials needed
of interest towards a subject, development of and if our pockets can afford it, we are
stress and low self-esteem on students, teachers’ the one who buys and provides the
difficulty in motivating the students, and lack of materials.”
teachers’ creativity in delivering the lessons may
arise. We should look at different ways on how Informant 2: “None. We do not have
we can monitor and assess the quality of a budget which is primarily intended
competency-based schools. Students moving up just for Science experiments. It’s from
from one grade to the next year after year without our personal money, just so we can
the needed skills or knowledge to be successful execute the experiment and they, the
should not be allowed (Sturgis & Casey, 2018). students, can experience it. The
However, considering the sample of multigrade school does not give an extra budget
teachers’ budget of work, it covers all the for that. Although, there are times that
competencies needed by the curriculum just like we are able to ask for materials in the
any other monograde schools. One striking office, if and only if there is available,
difference between their budgets of work is when if not, we will take it from our personal
it comes to the allotted time for each competency. pockets. It’s always like that, even if
There are times wherein a competency in a you ask other multigrade teachers”
multigrade class will take two weeks while it will
only take a week in a monograde class or vice Every school in the country has a
versa. This only shows the adjustments made by Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses
multigrade teachers. (MOOE) budget. MOOE can be used on
Most of the time, multigrade teachers take expenses like necessities that support learning
money from their own pockets just to buy the programs and school activities. A school’s MOOE
needed materials for their Science learning budget will be depending on the number of
activities. The same result was found in the study teachers, students, and classrooms (Llego,
of de Borja and Marasigan (2020) that in order to 2016). Therefore, the greater number of students
facilitate Science learning activities to the that are enrolled, the greater the number of
students, teachers were the ones who were teachers or classrooms, the higher the MOOE of
providing the materials needed that cannot be the school. However, multigrade schools have a
found in the school laboratory. Orale and low number of students, teachers, and
P – ISSN 2651 - 7701 | E – ISSN 2651 – 771X | www.ioer-imrj.com
DE BORJA. J.M.A., SIGUA, E.M. S., MARASIGAN, A.C., Pedagogical Practices of Multigrade Teachers in
Conducting Science Learning Activities, pp.219 -228
224
IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPT., 2020
classrooms, therefore, a very low budget is being However, the hurdles faced by these teachers
allotted in multigrade schools. Because of the made them modify what they prepared during
limited MOOE that their schools have, the budget actual practice and worse some learning activities
is allocated to more important aspects such as especially the Science experiments were not
maintenance of schools, training of teachers, being implemented to adjust to the situation.
instructional materials, and many more instead of 4.In addition, multiple learning activities that
spending funds on Science learning activities. should be facilitated for different grade levels in
Moreover, in order to provide the needed one class seem to challenge the pedagogical
materials for the Science learning activity just like practices of the multigrade Science teachers.
an experiment, there are also times that these Thus, it resulted in the low performance of
multigrade teachers need to go back to the town, multigrade students in standardized tests. The
not minding how far or hard the travel is. perennial situation of multigrade schools made
Mobilization or travel would be difficult because them to lag monograde schools as fewer number
there are no roads that any type of vehicle can be of learning competencies were being covered
used and there are those who need to pass by a and developed. This can be attributed to the
river or hike. The same case is experienced by same curriculum as monograde schools and a
teachers in the study of Orale and Quejada lesser budget is being granted to multigrade
(2018). schools.
There are times wherein the number of 5. Science teachers in multigrade schools
materials which they bought from the teacher’s are more familiar with the needs of every student
own pockets is not enough for the students. This, in the class. They have the motivation to help the
in return, sacrifices the amount of learning that progress of each student and at the same time
the students receive. The students are not able to increase the level of empathy that can be
do the Science learning activity well, since the observed from them. Likewise, the ability of the
ratio of the number of materials to students is not multigrade teachers to adapt to the challenging
appropriate. So, the multigrade teachers have no needs of every learner in the class helps them
choice but to resort to improvisation just to carry develop their creativity, resilience, and
out the activity. They also often choose the competence.
Science learning activities which are the most
needed by the students and those which require RECOMMENDATIONS
less sophisticated materials.
The researchers hereby recommend the
CONCLUSIONS following:
1. The Department of Education should
Based on the salient findings, the revisit the policy on School Maintenance and
following conclusions were drawn: Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of multigrade
1. With the passion and dedication of schools.
multigrade Science teachers, adjustments were 2. Additional training to multigrade
made to carry out learning activities at the teachers should be conducted so that these
expense of providing materials to facilitate teachers will be better equipped with the
learning. necessary tools in teaching multigrade classes
2. The challenge of complying with the whatever the challenges are.
requirements or following protocol posted by 3. A curriculum that is specifically
DepEd, multigrade teachers need to adjust to go designed for multigrade classes but comparable
with the flow of the norms. to the curriculum of monograde classes should be
3. Documents submitted as proof of created.
preparation of multigrade Science teachers 4. Future researchers may explore the
reiterated how the learning process should take effectiveness of teaching and learning, with the
place during teaching-learning activities. learning competencies as a point of reference, in
P – ISSN 2651 - 7701 | E – ISSN 2651 – 771X | www.ioer-imrj.com
DE BORJA. J.M.A., SIGUA, E.M. S., MARASIGAN, A.C., Pedagogical Practices of Multigrade Teachers in
Conducting Science Learning Activities, pp.219 -228
225
IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPT., 2020
a multigrade class as compared to those in a Gabriel, A. (2008). Multigrade teaching: Implications
monograde class. for the universal basic education in
Nigeria. Sophia: An African Journal of
REFERENCES Philosophy, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.4314/sophia.v
9i2.38784
Aina, K. J. (2013). Instructional materials and
improvisation in physics class: Implications for Ganal, N. N., & Guiab, M. R. (2014). Problems and
teaching and learning. IOSR Journal of Research difficulties encountered by students towards
& Method in Education (IOSRJRME), 2(5), 38-42. mastering learning competencies in Mathematics.
https://doi.org/10.9790/7388-0253842 Researchers World, 5, 25-37.
Brown, B. A. (2010). Teachers' accounts of the Harman, G., Cokelez, A., Dal, B., and Alper, U.
usefulness of multigrade teaching in promoting (2016). Pre-service science teachers' views on
sustainable human-development related laboratory applications in Science education: The
outcomes in rural South Africa. Journal of effect of a two-semester course. Universal Journal
Southern African Studies, 36(1), 189- of Educational Research, 4(1), 12 - 25. DOI:
207. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057071003607428 10.13189/ujer.2016.040103.
De Borja, J. A., & Marasigan, A. C. (2020). Status of Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience
science laboratory in a public junior high school. as the source of learning and development (Vol.
International Journal of Research Publications, 1). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.Mcleod, S.
46, 8. http://ijrp.org/paper-detail/959 (2019).
Department of Education. (1997, November K to 12 curriculum guide Science. (2012, January 31).
14). Policies and guidelines in the organization https://www.gov.ph/documents/20147/233614/SC
and operation of multigrade (MG) classes (DO 96, IENCE-K-12-Curriculum-Guides-
S. Grade7.pdf/02c5020b-a9df-cc74-598b-
1997). https://www.deped.gov.ph/1997/11/14/do- e6f979d5bb32
96-s-1997-policies-and-guidelines-in-the-
organization-and-operation-of-multigrade-mg- Lam, B. H., & Chan, H. L. (2013). Experiential learning.
classes/ The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK).
https://www.eduhk.hk/aclass/Theories/Experienti
Department of Education. (2009, July alLearning.pdf
24). Strengthening the implementation of
multigrade program in Philippine education Llego, M. (2016, April 11). Computation of public
amended by (DO 81, S. schools MOOE. TeacherPH.
2009). https://www.deped.gov.ph/2009/07/24/do- from https://www.teacherph.com/computation-
81-s-2009-strengthening-the-implementation-of- public-schools-mooe/
multigrade-program-in-philippine-education-
Mart, T. C. (2013). A passionate teacher: Teacher
amended-by/
commitment and dedication to student
Department of Education. (2018, February learning. International Journal of Academic
15). Guidelines on the utilization of the 2018 Research in Progressive Education and
financial support for multigrade schools (DO 08, S. Development, 2(1), 226-348.
2018). https://www.deped.gov.ph/2018/02/15/do-
Mulryan-Kyne, C. (2014). Teaching and Learning in
08-s-2018-guidelines-on-the-utilization-of-the-
Multigrade Classrooms: What Teachers Say. The
2018-financial-support-for-multigrade-schools/
Irish Journal of Education, 35(2004), 5–19.
Song, R., Spradlin, T. E., & Plucker, J. A. (2009). The Vithanapathirana, M. (2006). Adapting the primary
advantages and disadvantages of multiage mathematics curriculum to the multigrade
classrooms in the era of NCLB accountability. classroom in Rural, Sri Lanka. 127-153
Center for Evaluation and Education Policy:
Education Policy Brief, 7(1), 1-8. AUTHORS’ PROFILE
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED504569.pdf
Joanna Marie A. de Borja is a full-time Ph.D.
Sturgis, C. and Casey, K. (2018). Designing for equity: Science Education student at the
leveraging competency-based education to Philippine Normal University-
ensure all students succeed. Vienne, VA: Manila under the DOST-CBPSME
International Association for K-12 Online scholarship program. She also
Learning. earned the degrees, Bachelor in
Secondary Education major in Physics and
Taole, M. J. (2018). Diversity and inclusion in rural Master of Arts in Science Education with
South African multigrade classrooms Diversity specialization in Physics in the same university.
and inclusion in rural South African multigrade She has been in the teaching profession since
classrooms. International Journal of Inclusive 2007 handling Science, Physics, and Science
Education, 0(0), 1–17. Research subjects. Her research interests
https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2018.1520310 involve Science education, action research,
pedagogy, physics education, and rural
Taole, M., & Mncube, V. S. (2017). Studies of Tribes education. Likewise, she is also a part-time
and Tribals Multi-grade Teaching and Quality of content editor of Physics textbook and teacher's
Education in South African Rural Schools : manual and resource speaker for various
Educators ’ Experiences Multi-grade Teaching seminars and training.
and Quality of Education in South African Rural
Schools : Educators ’ Experiences. 151–162. Eivan Mark Sunga Sigua is a faculty member of
https://doi.org/10.1080/0972639X.2012.1188665
the College of Education of
Pampanga State Agricultural
3
University (PSAU), Magalang,
Tiernan, B., Casserly, A. M., & Maguire, G. (2018). Pampanga. He earned his
Towards inclusive education : instructional Bachelor’s degree in Secondary
Education major in General Science and his
P – ISSN 2651 - 7701 | E – ISSN 2651 – 771X | www.ioer-imrj.com
DE BORJA. J.M.A., SIGUA, E.M. S., MARASIGAN, A.C., Pedagogical Practices of Multigrade Teachers in
Conducting Science Learning Activities, pp.219 -228
227
IOER INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPT., 2020
Master of Arts in Education major in General to IIMRJ. This is an open-access article
Science from the same university in 2007 and distributed under the terms and conditions of the
2014 respectively. Currently, he is pursuing his Creative Commons Attribution –
Doctor of Philosophy major in Science Education Noncommercial 4.0 International License
at Philippine Normal University, Manila. He has (http://creative commons.org/licenses/by/4).
been into teaching since 2007, six years of which
were spent in Indonesia. He has handled various
Science and Math subjects for Elementary,
Secondary, Tertiary, and Master’s level. Besides
his instructional function, he also has his writing
undertakings. Pedagogy, educational
technology, Science education, Science
activities, environment, are some of his research
interests.
COPYRIGHTS