Exploring the Experiences in the Implementation of Marungko Approach in Multigrade Classes

This case study explores the experiences of teachers and learners in the implementation of the Marungko Approach in multigrade classes, specifically in Grades 1 and 2 in one of the schools in the district of Badiangan, Iloilo, Philippines. The study draws on teacher and learner questionnaire responses to examine the effectiveness, challenges, and overall impact of the approach in a multigrade setting. Findings from teacher responses highlight that the Marungko Approach significantly improves the reading skills of multigrade learners and is relatively easy to integrate into multigrade instruction. Teachers observed that learners enjoy the activities, particularly those involving interactive materials, and that the approach effectively addresses individual differences by supporting phonemic awareness through its structured sequence of letters. Moreover, parental involvement was noted as a positive factor in sustaining learner engagement. However, teachers also acknowledged that the multigrade setup poses challenges, particularly in resource allocation and classroom management. Despite these difficulties, the approach was found to increase learners’ motivation to read, leading to strong support for its continued     implementation in multigrade settings. Learner feedback corroborates these findings, with most students reporting that Marungko lessons are easy to understand and that they enjoy learning through activities such as flashcards. Learners expressed greater confidence in reading compared to before, and many indicated that they can now read syllables more easily. This study proports that the MarungkoApproach is an effective and engaging strategy for improving literacy in multigrade classrooms. While challenges remain in terms of resources and instructional adjustments, both teachers and learners affirm its positive impact, underscoring the need for sustained support and integration of the approach in early grade multigrade education.