“Teach, learn, trek and explore as a volunteer”
Bajhang volunteers [L-R: Deepesh, Suman, Ravindra and Shambu]
Year 2014 | Bajhang
OLE Nepal in cooperation with District Education Office of Bajhang and UN World Food Program has been implementing laptop based teaching-learning program in the district since past two years. The program initially commenced in early 2014 in ten primary schools with further extension to thirteen more schools in the same year. For the effective implementation and sustainability of the program at the schools, OLE Nepal introduced ‘Volunteer Program’ in collaboration with Maitri Trust organization. This program not only aims to provide necessary support for the sustainability, but also gave young adults an opportunity to learn and experience the application of the technology to enhance primary education while gaining invaluable insights to the challenges faced by schools in remote areas.
Our third batch of volunteers got to experience the same in process of supporting thirteen schools of phase II of the laptop program in Bajhang. After extensive training at OLE Nepal office regarding the technical and pedagogical aspects of the laptop program, volunteers traveled to Bajhang to provide hands-on assistance to the teachers and students of the respective schools. The main purpose of this program is to ensure maximum use of digital learning resources made available to schools and to assist teachers with technical issues they may encounter while integrating these resources in their classrooms.
“It was great opportunity for multiple experiences; learn, teach, explore and trek in a single platform.” – Suman Adhikari
During their stay in Bajhang, volunteers were divided in two groups. Depending upon the types of school and support required, they spent about ten to fifteen days in each school. Their support was mainly oriented towards three different areas; the issues and queries brought by teachers regarding use of XO laptops and ICT integrated teaching-learning method, focused on the lesson plan and its necessity for effective integration in teaching which also included record keeping of class notes and reference materials for future purposes and maximum use of the different activities and contents available in E-Pustakalaya which are helpful for both teachers and students for developing good learning habits.
OLE Nepal believes that volunteer program is an important aspect for the effective implementation of the program in such areas. So far, the organization have trained and located ten volunteers in program schools of Bajhang.
“Volunteer program was an awesome opportunity for me to get real experiences. I believe it’s a good start for the change in education practice of this region, which has been deprived of quality education from a long time.” – Deepesh Thapa.