Teaching and learning in multi-grade classes: Challenges and opportunities

Multi-grade classes are used for small groups of students in which one teacher for each gread is impractical. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current situation of education and learning in multigrade classrooms from the perspective of teachers in North Khorasan province. To achieve this goal, phenomenological research method was used as a qualitative method. Participants in the interview were selected using purposive sampling method according to the distance from urban areas. Saturation was obtained in interview number ten, but continued until the eighteenth person. The findings of the interview were analyzed by Colaizzi method. Finally, the current situation in the three areas of infrastructure, education and learning was identified. The present study shows some of the strengths and weaknesses of multigrade classrooms from the perspective of teachers and shows policy makers the current situation in order to improve quality.