Digital Multi-Grade One-room Schoolhouses for underprivileged communities in rural Pakistan

Abstract

Despite extensive global efforts to make education accessible for all, one out of every five children are out-of-school. The situation demands re-thinking of learning strategies, particularly in underprivileged context. Continued advancements in learning technologies may offer novel solutions. The one-room schoolhouse is a centuries-old proven educational system, which has yielded promising results for rural areas. Using a multi-grade teaching method, the one-room schoolhouse provides a resilient model for educating children at locations that lack quality teachers and resources. This paper outlines doctoral research focused on identifying ways to develop adaptable and sustainable approaches to educate underprivileged out-of-school children in rural and remote areas of Pakistan through digital one-room schoolhouses, and suited to their local dynamics.