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Ten years ago, schoolchildren throughout China would sit in rows facing the blackboard. Teachers would lecture them without considering the pupils’ different needs. That was until DFID supported the introduction of participatory teaching methods in Gansu: first in four counties and later in a further 31 counties. At the same time the Chinese Government started introducing a National Curriculum based on child-centred approaches.

Now children sit in groups and their teachers use more child-centred methods to promote active learning. Children have responded well to this new style of teaching: they enjoy learning more and statistics show that this has been accompanied by an improvement in their academic results.

Making it happen

A total of 18 participatory training modules were developed including Effective Participatory Teaching, Classroom Management, Child Learning Strategies and Education Equity.

Over 40,000 teachers and head teachers in the 35 counties have been trained in teaching skills relevant to their job.

Participatory training modules have been developed and delivered in Tibetan in order to promote bilingual teaching.

Twenty four story books have been developed to reflect local culture and the students’ lives.