Strengthening Foundational Skills for Better Learning Outcomes
As education evolves globally, with schools increasingly embracing innovative methods to meet the diverse needs of students, many community schools in Nepal continue to grapple with fundamental challenges. According to UNICEF Nepal, only half of students in grades 3, 5 and 8 meet the academic criteria for Nepali and Mathematics. The ‘Build the Basics’ (BtB) project is designed to close the learning gap by implementing innovative, learner-centered approaches that provide personalized learning for every child. The project focuses on strengthening foundational skills through regular assessments and evidence-based learning strategies, with the goal of improving children’s learning outcomes and ensuring that no child is left behind.
Supported by the Hempel Foundation and implemented in partnership with the national NGO Aasaman Nepal, the ‘Build the Basics’ (BtB) project aims to improve learning outcomes for children in grades 3 to 5, with a focus on literacy and numeracy. The initiative was launched in response to assessments that revealed significant learning deficits among students. BtB addresses these challenges in rural areas through teacher training, community engagement, and tailored learning interventions, ensuring access to quality education. In its first year, from April 2023 to March 2024, the project successfully reached 13,587 students and 592 teachers across 234 community schools in Karnali and Madhesh provinces. The project provided continuous professional development for teachers by equipping them with effective pedagogical techniques.
The project delivered an eight-day teacher training program, introducing educators to a range of practical tools and techniques based on the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach. This training included 46 activities focused on Nepali and Mathematics, specifically adapted to cater to students at various proficiency levels. The program equips teachers to effectively engage students with diverse learning needs. Also, the project emphasizes continuous monitoring of student progress by integrating regular assessments and data collection into the learning process. This ensures that teaching strategies are responsive to individual student development. A key component of this initiative is the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) methodology, pioneered by Pratham. This evidence-based approach equips teachers with simple yet highly effective strategies to enhance student learning outcomes.
To maximize the impact of the TaRL approach, the BtB project integrates it with differentiated learning tools, including visual aids, learning materials, and interactive activities, fostering a more engaging and effective learning environment. Teachers are trained to implement these methods and assess student progress in stages, allowing them to group students according to their specific learning needs. This enables more targeted instruction, ensuring that each child receives the appropriate attention and support to thrive academically.
As Street Child of Nepal embarks on the second year of the BtB initiative, the focus intensifies on equipping teachers with necessary training and resource to enhance their teaching practices. The project aims to reach 36,000 students and 1,800 teachers across 600 community schools to improve foundational learning. By continuing to invest in teacher training, Street Child seeks to ensure that more schools adopt effective, learner-centered approaches, leading to improved educational outcomes for students in some of Nepal’s most vulnerable regions.