Adapting and piloting a classroom observation tool for the Right To Play ‘My Education, My Future’ Programme, Burundi

Geeta Gambhir, Audrey Awhan and Katarzyna Kubacka

20 March 2025

Study report
Classroom Observation Tool
User guide

This study report presents: 

• the process of adaptation of an existing classroom observation tool (COT) and the development of a user guide for use in low-resource schools in Burundi 
• a small-scale study piloting the adapted tool in January 2024 
• findings and recommendations for refining the tool, based on feedback from teachers, school leaders, and education stakeholders. 

Classroom observation tools (COTs) are used to understand and improve the quality of teaching practices, ultimately leading to better learning outcomes for students. While COTs are widely used globally, there is limited research on how they are adapted to fit different educational contexts. Moreover, little is known about how lesson observers and teachers are involved in the development of COTs. Our study helps to close these evidence gaps and can be used as a reference aid for education stakeholders who seek to adapt COTS. 

Key findings from the pilot 

• Although large class sizes meant that it could be difficult to observe all the children in lesson observations during the pilot of the tool, the format of the tool did allow documentation of type and frequency of play-based activities and other important elements of teacher practice. 
• Teachers and school leaders found the COT helpful in reinforcing the My Education, My Future programme training concepts and for guiding effective teaching practices.  

Key adaptations to the tool 

• The classroom context section was expanded to capture student age ranges and types of disability, reflecting the multi-age and mixed-ability nature of the classes 
• New indicators to assess gender equality and socio-emotional learning, such as inclusive seating arrangements and critical thinking prompts were included 
• Introducing a scoring system to help observers rate teacher and learner behaviours