First day of the E learning Program at Kavre

A team of 9 members consisting of FEDUC members and volunteers headed to Kavre on April 4; the first day of the E-learning training program at Shree Shrikhandapur Higher Secondary School. All together of 20 teachers gathered outside the computer lab. Giggles of excitement, wide smiles of anticipation and curiosity with a slight hint of shyness and hesitation; the teachers looked like a bunch of four years olds ready to enter class nursery on the first day!   Continuous chattering filled the computer lab as once inside, some teachers started discussing and trying out things they knew before, some expressing doubt to their colleagues on whether they would be able to learn well, while some stared blank at the computer screen waiting for the program to start. After registration and necessary arrangements on the projector, the program started off with a  presentation about the organization, its focus, the aimed activities and its new approach towards education. As per the fact that Nepal is indeed a country where the power cut doesn't always occur as scheduled, the electricity went off one hour prior to the routine. All credit to the determined FEDUC members, smart at handling unforeseen blunders as such, the presentation continued without the projector.  Regardless of the occasional minor conflict of opinions, the teachers were attentive and proved active listeners, taking notes and asking questions.

          Then continued another presentation about the importance of E-learning and how its application could prove advantageous, both to teachers and students. In order to find out their  individual familiarity on computers and determine their ability, the teachers were asked to answer some objective questions regarding their practical knowledge on computers. Then followed a dot exercise, aimed at decreasing their hesitation on learning new things and increasing their self confidence about taking up critisism on the process of something new. A discussion followed where the teachers recalled the computer terms they were familiar with. Internet, face book, game, virus, antivirus, hardware, software, pen drive, memory card, mouse, desktop were some of the terms. A FEDUC member explained these terms in detail and also brought up some new topics like hacking and USB.  The motivational program ended on a short reflection about what was learnt during the day. The teachers were very happy to have learnt so many things and were eager for its continuity. A bit of tiredness overshadowed by the satisfaction of the day, the FEDUC members and volunteers headed back, waiting for a yet another new day. 

Need Assessment at Kavre

Recently, FEDUC Nepal has finished the need assessment for E-learning project at Kavre. With the aim of introducing E-learning in classrooms, the organization has selected the schools to which the training will be provided to the teachers. The need assessment took place on 21^st and 22^nd March, 2013. Data were collected from various public schools and non-profit schools. With the completion of need assessment, Mr. Asim Dhakal, Mr. Subash Mishra and Mr. Sujil Maharjan has finally selected three schools to conduct this pilot project.

1.   Shree Shreekhandapur Primary School

In the mass of politically influenced public institutions in Nepal, this school stands out by having the least political influence. In spite of having fewer students and being an old wrecked building as we predict, this school has comparatively huge number of willing-to-study students and a newly made building. Further, teachers are also committed to provide good education. The head teacher, Mr. Rabindra Karmacharya, has put a lot of effort for this change in public school and its existence. With the support of community and some donors, he has provided a completely “free” education in this school. All that one should do is to carry a bag with enough books, wear proper uniform and gain proper knowledge provided by school all for free. Mr. Rabindra got help from different organizations to do so. He has also managed a remarkable amount of computers in the school. However, computer knowledge was lagging among the teachers. So, he was very happy to hear from young members of FEDUC. He wishes to conduct E-learning training for teachers as soon as possible. He has connected the school with a school in UK. He said that he saw children of the school in UK working on computer. He wished that the situation would come to him someday. Mr. Sujil Maharjan says that his government school is an inspiration for young people like him and also for other public institutions. 

2. Shree Shreekhandapur Higher Secondary School

In Shreekhandapur, Shree Shreekhandapur Higher Secondary School has a better environment. With the good surrounding, this school provides education up to high school. Mr. Jayaram Shrestha was very excited to conduct the E-learning project in his school as well. Previously, “Room to read” had made a computer lab and a library in the school. There are 21 computers and other resources as well. However, E-learning has not been completely successful since it has not been used for classroom education. Following the aim of providing education through computers in all the subjects taught, the members of E-learning project has listed the school as a good candidate to provide the training.

3. Kavre Higher Secondary School

Kavre Higher Secondary School is the non-profit school. During the need assessment, computer labs were noted. There were computers but teachers were not familiar with those resources. E-learning project sounded completely new to them. So, in order to teach basic skills to teachers and teach them to use computers for teaching students, Kavre Higher Secondary School also qualified for the E-learning project.

New E-learning Project ready to lauch

"E-learning"

It is simply a 21st century method for learning through computer. For the rest of the world, it is a daily diet. However for Nepal, it is not. When asked to the students during the school assessment, students termed it as "Learning with E (alphabet)". Some of the students only nodded and ran away into the ground with a roti in their hand.

This is the current situation of rural Nepal. Though we see a remarkable development in the education sector in city areas of Nepal, it lacks vaguely among the villages. People do know about computers and different new technologies. However, they do not know how boon it would be if they can use this technology. In other words, they lack proper education. In absence of new methods of teaching along with appropriate and adequate instructional materials, teaching and learning in community schools of Nepal has been a long lasting challenge. Even today, very few teachers have got skills and ideas to use computer in classroom teaching and learning.  Children are bound to conventional teaching methods in the classrooms. 

So, in order to bring changes in community schools of Nepal, FEDUC has planned a pilot testing with three schools by introducing and establishing E-learning Centers in schools. The three schools are Himali Higher Secondary School, Sharada Mandir Secondary School, Tribhuwan Adarsha Higher Secondary School situated in Syanja. Those E-learning centers will have two major aims: (1) introduce E-learning in classroom teaching and learning, and (2) facilitate rural community to communicate with their family members and people concerned around the world through E-learning center of their own school. With a view to establish E-learning centers, a needs assessment was conducted in those schools and community. Schools teachers and head teachers were contacted to examine their willingness and potential donors were contacted whether they would be ready to support this idea. We found much enthusiasm and hope in them with our approach. They have agreed to let the community jump across the wall of traditional teaching learning method. Hence, the initial phase of exploring donors have been started.