Initial Teacher Training in Baitadi

September 2016 | Baitadi

Laptop Program has been launched in Baitadi in this month. Our team of four trainers and two technical staff from OLE Nepal successfully conducted seven days’ intensive training for the teachers of fifteen primary school in Baitadi. The training which was conducted from September 7 to 20 were divided in three groups covering five schools in each group at Patan and Gothalapani, Baitadi. The first training was conducted in parallel sessions, covering  teachers from ten schools (two groups) and for remaining five schools (one group) in second session at Patan. Altogether 69 (42 female and 27 male) teachers and 8 resource persons participated in the training.

During the opening ceremony of the trainingat Gothalapani, Mr. Lal Singh Ter, District Education Officer (DEO), Shankar Batta and Shankar Dutta Joshi, School Supervisor and Mr. Rishi Ram Bimali, head of FFE unit Baitadi were present. Mr Rabindra Chand and Ms. Rojina Karki from WFP Sub office, Dipayal  observed the training and also attended the closing ceremony at Patan on September 20.

The  training included presentations, interactions, hands-on activities, and practice teaching, and planning to prepare teachers to successfully conduct technology-integrated classes. The following refers to the areas focused  during the seven days training.

Combination of theory and practice teaching

During the training, teachers were given an in-depth idea about the combination of theory and practice on teaching through the laptops. The training focused on the ways and methods of effective integration of digital learning resources and textbooks in the classroom.

Basic training on computers, E-Paath and E-Pustakalaya 

As the use of computers was new to most of the teachers in the training, they were given basic training about the computers. This includes the basic introduction of parts and figures of the computer such as keyboard, screen, keypad, cables, speakers, etc. After familiarizing the basics about the computer, teachers were introduced to E-Paath and E-Pustakalaya. They were given a comprehensive knowledge about the E-Paath, our national curriculum based interactive digital learning resources and E-Pustakalaya. They were also given ample time to explore and practice on E-Paath and resources available in E-Pustakalaya. Teachers were also trained on how to effectively integrate these learning resources in their classrooms.

Sessions on education philosophies and how children learn

Different sessions dedicated to educational philosophies and child learning theory were also included during the training. These sessions were very helpful for the teachers to understand about the different teaching practices and ways children learn.

Training on how to effectively integrate ICT in classroom teaching

The most important aspect of this teacher training was to guide the teachers on effective integration of ICT in classroom teaching. The focus was on how teachers can prepare and effectively use lesson plans for integrating E-Paath and textbooks in the classroom teaching. During the training, participants also prepared the lesson plans and presented as practice teaching session, which helped them to understand the basic preparation and knowledge for ICT integrated teaching process.

Besides that, the teachers were also informed about the importance and techniques for effective classroom management. Different aspects of management, such as job chart preparation, rules and routine preparation for E-Paati integrated classroom teaching were discussed and practiced.

Training on basic technical operation regarding the program

The teachers were also practically trained regarding the technical operation of school network and other related system. This aspect of training covered hands on practice on how to connect school network, operate school server, flash the E-Paati for updating E-Paath content and regular inspection of solar batteries, inverter and solar panels.

Program launch, deployment and set up intranet in each program schools

Laptop program was formally launched in the presence of  Mr Lal Singh Ter, Baitadi DEO, Mr Rishi Ram Bimali, unit chief FFE, Baitadi, Mr. Rabindra Chand, head of WFP SO, Dipayal. The laptops were handed to head teacher representing each school after successfully completing their training.

Following the training, the two teams comprising of an engineer and a technical staff traveled to all the program schools to set up an intranet, and connect the school server to all the laptops. Since the training was conducted in two sessions, (ten schools in first and five schools in second) the deployments were also carried out in two phases covering ten and five schools in first and second phase respectively. During the deployment, the team also checked the solar power system that was installed in the last week of August, to verify that they met the specifications and functional requirements. The team also briefly familiarized the teachers on basic operation/handling of the equipment such as solar batteries, inverters, solar panels and other related system in the respective program schools.

Our two technical teams successfully deployed the laptops and other network equipment in program school in Baitadi between the second and third week of September. This includes the deployment of 312 laptops, 15 servers, 19 routers and other necessary network equipment in the respective program schools. 

Baseline Survey at fifteen schools in Baitadi

Baseline survey at fifteen schools in Baitadi was carried out during the deployment time from September 14 to 23 by our deployment team. This survey will help us find out the actual status of the students before the laptop program is introduced in the schools. Survey of students was based on the subject and grades. Around 12 – 15 sample students from grade 2 to 5 were chosen for the survey on Nepali, English, science and maths subject. The result of this survey will be compared with mid-line survey, which will be conducted between the project period. This will help us to understand the actual impact of the program in the students and schools. The results of this survey will be shared in the next reporting month.