Develop preschool in Nepal

Project FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES in Nepal

Nepal, a landlocked country at the heart of the Himalayas, is among the poorest countries in the world, with 25% of the population living below the poverty line and 70% in a vulnerable situation. Education thus stands as a powerful tool to combat this systemic poverty.

Although school is only compulsory from the age of 6, the enrollment rate in preschool is high. However, this rate does not reflect the reality, especially between urban and rural areas where 70% of the population resides, or when considering ethnic origin and gender. The lack of resources and training for teaching staff prevents the provision of appropriate education for younger children, leading to high absenteeism. Lack of schooling is detrimental to children’s development, particularly for girls, who are often confined to the home to care for their younger siblings.

Often, families—especially those with lower levels of education—are unaware of the value of preschool education and the specific needs of young children for their psycho-cognitive development.

Gorkha, Pilot City

The city has 49 primary schools, 46 of which are public. These schools host many children from Chepang or Dalit families, the “untouchables.” These minorities have other priorities than their children’s well-being; their primary concern is finding ways to feed them.

In existing schools, there are virtually no dedicated classrooms or teachers for children aged 3-6. The children are required to follow the same activities and teachings as primary school students, such as learning to write, read, and do arithmetic. As a result, the children are unable to keep up and end up in uncomfortable situations.

Through this project to create and equip preschool classrooms, PE&D aims to provide the youngest children with good cognitive development conditions through the infrastructure set up and the training of teaching teams. Children will be able to grow through play, physical activities, and interaction with other children. All these stimuli will be very beneficial for their development and prepare them for primary school under better conditions.

Since the program’s launch in August 2023, the project has achieved:

• The creation of 10 preschool sections in ten schools,
• The equipping of dedicated spaces in 38 additional schools,
• The training of 54 teachers,
• Raising awareness among those responsible for education within local institutions,
• Improving preschool learning conditions for over 400 children annually.