Many recent assessments in Nepal show extremely poor learning outcomes for both literacy and numeracy among early grade students (especially in grades 1-3). In the last decade, net enrollment in Nepali primary schools has increased dramatically, repetition rates have declined, and attendance rates have improved. However, learning outcomes have not similarly improved due to other constraints, such as long distances between children’s homes and schools, hunger at home, lack of teacher motivation, etc.
In Nepal, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports schools in the most remote and challenging environments. Given these recent assessments, they have now shifted their focus to improved literacy and numeracy outcomes.
The USDA’s Food for Education (FFE) Program, led by the World Food Programme (WFP), provides a hot school lunch and addresses health and sanitation issues in schools to increase children's attendance and readiness to learn.
World Education, Inc. is spearhead the early grade reading component of the program by conducting a baseline early grade assessment; providing technical support for teacher training; leading parental and community engagement activities; and providing schools and teachers with World Education’s own grade-appropriate, Nepali language materials (for grades 1-3).
World Education is working in six remote districts (Jajarkot, Dadeldhura, Dailek, Bajhang, Baitadi, and Darchula) with a goal to support 1,050 schools to provide improved early grade reading instruction and learning outcomes for 123,000 children over 3 years.
World Education strives to build lasting relationships with partners across diverse geographic regions and technical sectors to produce better education outcomes for all.
