Education

Education is one of the most important factors in eradicating poverty. PHASE Worldwide wants people to have access to opportunities, regardless of their location, gender, age, income, social status or disability.

Large disparities in education still exist in Nepal, with girls and rural communities particularly being left behind. Nationally, the male literacy rate is 71%, but only 44% for women (The Nepal Living Standards Survey 2010-2011). In many of the remote villages that PHASE works in, there has been an absence of any effective education services. Teacher training is limited, particularly in rural regions, and some of the areas have no trained teachers at all. Our data shows on average that primary school completion rates are under 30% for males and 20% for females.

Lack of education not only limits prospects for the future and has an impact on economic stability and health, but can also put people at risk of trafficking and exploitation. Our work links with the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education – to achieve equal access to quality education, eradicate disparities and ensure that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling by 2030.

What do we do?

We work to increase access to quality education in rural regions through training, mentoring, supporting teachers, making schools child-friendly and inclusive.

Access to education for women and girls in Nepal is particularly important, as they are currently under-represented in the Nepali education system. We support a girls’ empowerment programme which increases confidence and leadership skills alongside formal education. This work is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers and prevention of child marriage and trafficking. We hope our work can encourage a change in the social norms that limits the role of women in Nepalese communities, for a more positive and inclusive future of women and girls in Nepal.

We work with communities, Parent Teacher Associations and School Management Committees to raise awareness of the importance of education for all children.

We have delivered alternative classes to allow children who have been unable to attend school to reintegrate into mainstream schooling. As well as education for children, we also support adult education and literacy programmes.

What’s the impact?

Access to quality education is vital to break the cycle of poverty. Education leads to opportunities and the freedom of choice, particularly for the younger generation of Nepal.

It is never too late to stop learning, adults gaining literacy opens up many new opportunities for themselves and their families that ultimately enhances their quality of life. Over 90 women from Gorkha learnt to read and write through our adult literacy project in 2013-2014.

Mukti Adhikary

“I am a lower secondary teacher in Bhuddha Secondary School, Sirdibas and have been a teacher for nearly 20 years. I am glad to have been given the chance to receive such an integrated and practical teacher training session. Previously I gave lots of lectures to the children, however these new methods allow the children to think and discover in a way which I can manage. I feel more confident and passionate about my teaching after the training and I am excited to use the teaching practices in my classrooms.”