Learning Champion (LC) Project

The "Learning Champions, Despite Pandemic: Strong Girls II" project, supported by Karuna Deutschland, Karuna Trust UK, BMZ, and implemented jointly with Green Tara Nepal and ADWAN Nepal. The project strives mainly to provide inclusive quality education to all children in 55 public schools from Dalit and marginalized communities in Rambha and Kanchan rural municipalities of Palpa and Rupandehi districts respectively. The project also targets to mobilize 30 women groups involving the 600 mothers of school-going girls and aims to empower them socially and economically through sustainable livelihood development initiatives. Similarly, the project works with girls who have dropped out of school, helping them return to their studies or enroll in vocational training programs to enhance their career prospects. This support is provided through the 7 Dignity Centres located in the communities of both Rural Municipalities.

Overall objective: Ensure that all children, regardless of caste or gender, have access to quality education in project area.

Donors: Karuna Deutschland, Karuna Trust UK, BMZ Germany

Implementing Partners: Green Tara Nepal (GTN), Association for Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN)

Project Implementation Area: Rambha RM of Palpa and Kanchan RM of Rupandehi districts

Budget: NPR. 10,02,04,343/-

Target Palikas: Rambha RM of Palpa and Kanchan RM of Rupandehi

Project Duration: August 2022 to October 2026 ( 51 months)

Beneficiary users:

Out-of-school girls: 150

School Girls: 1300

School teachers: 448

School Children: 6545

Mothers of school-going girls: 600

SMC members: 440

Reports

Publications

“Bridging Home to School: A mother’s dual role as parent and teacher.”

It is always said that home is the heart of socialization and the parent is the first teacher in a child’s life. This sentiment resonates deeply with Ms. Bishnu Pacchai, who gracefully navigates the dual roles of mother and educator for her four-year-old son, Mr. Adarsha Baidwar. She has been dedicated to teaching at Majuwa Basic School located at Rambha-1, Hungi Palpa for 9 years. Her journey reflects the perfect blend of a nurturing mother and an inspiring teacher.

Ms. Bishnu reflects on her early days in Rambha “In the start, the classrooms were vacant. There weren’t any soulful contents for students. We weren’t even aware of other effective teaching-learning practices beyond traditional lectures”. The 10-day teacher training and 5-day subject-specific workshop facilitated by the Learning Champion Project up skilled the knowledge, innovation, and creativity in pedagogical approach which eventually upgraded the student’s engagements and achievements. Inspired by the positive outcomes Ms. Bishnu admitted her own son to the school she is teaching by transferring him from another one. “As a mother, I feel happy and content to see children learning joyfully at their own pace. I have realized the books alone aren’t enough, the child absorbs the learning when they actually touch, feel, and see the objects.”

Her enthusiasm and hard work mirrors in her son. Ms. Aadarsha, once a stubborn child, loves coming to school now and the major attractions are the hanging cards, subject charts, and 3-D materials inside the classroom. He even requests to develop and paste similar learning tools at home, reflecting his newfound excitement for learning.

The transformation in school is clearly visible. Sharing about the changes she told that the classrooms are now filled with colorful educational materials and students are engaged in learning by doing methods. The child clubs are active for monitoring the cleanliness of surroundings, organizing extra-curricular activities, and wall magazine publishing. Morning brain gym and assembly are conducted by students themselves. A good public speaking practice has also been observed to contribute to the overall enhancement of the quality of education.

Ms. Bishnu’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and love. By embracing her roles as both mother and teacher, she is not only shaping her son’s future but also nurturing a generation of learners who find joy and purpose in their education. She credits her success to the transformative training and hands-on support from the learning champion team, its funding partner, and local implementing partners. She is thankful the Karuna Deutschland/Karuna Trust/BMZ, and all the implementing partners.

"Bhagyamani" is a film created by the first phase of the project Strong Girls to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of child marriage. It contrasts the tragic impact of such a practice on an individual's life with the success story of a well-educated character, highlighting the empowering effects of education and personal growth.

https://youtu.be/v25VWD0lGCA?si=oFwQ34MlHCoNBJ3n

The video broadcasted on the education-focused website “Shiksha Chitra” showcases mothers who have enhanced their skills through various livelihood generation initiatives, driven by the ambition to become self-sufficient and support their daughters' education in the long run.

https://fb.watch/uLGk8qgir3/

The video broadcasted on the education-focused website “Shiksha Chitra” highlights the importance of parental involvement in schools through a direct monitoring approach. Following teacher training, educators have developed innovative training materials and publicly displayed evaluation charts for guardians. This initiative fosters a sense of responsibility and transparency within the school community.