IN mainstream schools in Pakistan, challenges abound. From resource constraints to technological barriers, from limited professional development opportunities to high teacher turnover, the teaching and learning landscape has been contending with several issues. Perhaps the most urgent concern is the large classes that preclude getting to know students personally.

The beauty of traditional teaching lay in the connection students had with their teachers. In developing societies like ours, this connection is critical to progress as the teacher’s influence extends beyond children to their families and the larger community. Teachers in developing societies are seen to be contributing to building communities through values, mentorship and personal oversight. If a student dropped out of school, the teacher would be seen visiting their home to convince the parents to send the child back.

“Excellence is never an accident”, as Aristotle observed. Teachers who demonstrate excellence are usually the ones who are willing to innovate through challenges. Large classes and limited resources often make personalised attention difficult. In this context, the teacher’s capacity for differentiated instruction is curtailed. How­ever, there are ways to........

© Dawn