School visits by Embassy of Finland

The Embassy of Finland’s Fund for Local Cooperation (FLC) has been supporting OLE Nepal’s projects on improving access to quality learning through the use of technology in classrooms. In addition to supporting laptop programs in 15 schools in Solukhumbu, Baglung and Banke districts. FLC support has been instrumental in the development of grade 7 and 8  E-Paath learning materials. Last year, FLC support was extended to Bajhang to  provide solar energy systems and furniture in 20 primary schools where laptop program was introduced.

Recently, officials from the Embassy of Finland traveled to Baglung and Bajhang districts to study the effectiveness of OLE Nepal’s programs and activities. In the process, they observed laptop-integrated classes, interacted with teachers and children, held meetings with school management committees and parents, and met with officials at the respective District Education Offices.

May 2016 | Baglung 

Ms. Kamana Gurung, programme coordinator at the Embassy of Finland, visited three schools on May 5 - 6 in Baglung, namely Ganesh Secondary School in Narayansthan, Prithivi Lower Secondary School in Amlachaur and Rudrepipal Secondary School in Baglung Bazzar. She observed laptop-based classes at the schools, followed by interaction sessions with teachers, parents and SMC. While in Baglung, she also held discussions with the District Education Officer, Mr. Bishnu Mishra. Ms. Gurung was accompanied by OLE Nepal’s Ms. Sarina Piya.

The three schools were part of the six in Baglung, along with four in Banke and five in Solokhumbu OLE Nepal had introduced laptop-based enhanced classroom practices in 2012 with FLC support. Ms. Gurung commented that while the program has had positive outcomes at the schools, there is a need to look at the longer term sustainability so that children can continue to benefit from the quality resources. She recommended that OLE Nepal continue providing technical and pedagogical support to the schools to ensure that E-Paath and E-Pustakalaya are available to students and teachers for years to come.

June 2016 | Bajhang

Senior specialist of education sector and development cooperation from the Embassy of Finland, Ms. Marianne Kujala-Garcia, and Ms. Kamana Gurung, visited five schools in the remote far-western district of Bajhang on June 13 - 17, accompanied by OLE Nepal’s Rabi Karmacharya. The visitors observed classes, met with teachers, parents and community members at the following primary schools: Bhumiraj in Suwakot; Mahadev in Raikusi; Kalika in Aagra; Bhuwaneswori in Sudhada; and Amrit in Kotigaun. Most of the schools were situated far from the road, and required hours of walking up and down the hilly terrain. Ms. Kujala-Garcia and Ms. Gurung also observed the refresher training program held at Chainpur for teachers from ten of the phase III schools. While at Chainpur, they met with Acting DEO Mr. Ganesh Bhatta and shared their observations with him.

Both the visitors were pleased to see that the Embassy’s support had enabled innovative pedagogical practices in these remote communities. Having worked for years as a teacher in Finland, Ms. Kujala-Garcia spent a lot of time sharing thoughts and ideas on effective classroom practices with teachers at the schools.

FLC support has provided solar panels and batteries, furniture for laptop rooms, and volunteer service in 20 schools in Bajhang where OLE Nepal and World Food Programme (WFP) have implemented the third phase of the laptop program.