The EAST project will be implemented in 12 schools across the Karnali and Madhesh provinces, both of which face significant educational and technological disparities. Schools will be selected through collaboration with local governments based on surveys that assess existing infrastructure, ensuring they have the necessary foundation for digital learning labs and reliable power. The selected schools will be equipped with smart classrooms for early learners (ECD - Grade 3) and computer labs for older students (Grades 4-8), creating a tech-enabled learning environment that will directly benefit approximately 2,160 to 6,480 students and 120 teachers.

Karnali, known for its mountainous terrain and underdeveloped infrastructure, and Madhesh, with its dense population and low educational performance, both have low Human Development Index (HDI) scores and significant gaps in technology access. The EAST project aims to bridge these gaps by providing offline servers, interactive educational content, and comprehensive teacher training, ensuring that students in these remote and underserved areas gain access to modern educational tools and resources.

The key beneficiaries of the EAST project include students, teachers, and the broader education community in public schools across the Karnali and Madhesh provinces.

Direct Beneficiaries:

• Students in Program Schools: The project will directly benefit students from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Grade 8 in 12 selected schools. These schools serve between 180 to 540 students each, meaning that a total of approximately 2,160 to 6,480 students will gain access to modern, tech-enabled learning environments. Students will have access to essential ICT tools, interactive digital content like E-Paath and Hamro Ramailo Kathaharu, and offline resources hosted on servers. This will enhance their learning experience, particularly for those in rural areas or from marginalized communities, where educational resources are scarce.
• Teachers: Around 120 educators across the 12 schools will be trained in integrating ICT into their teaching practices. They will learn to use digital tools to create interactive and student-centered classrooms, helping to improve overall teaching quality. Teachers will also receive ongoing support from "Teaching with Technology Fellows" to ensure they can effectively use the new resources and technologies.
• ICT Student Clubs: Each school will form an ICT Student Club, where students from Grades 4-8 will take leadership roles in managing the technology and learning resources in their schools. These clubs will empower students to take an active part in maintaining the digital learning labs, fostering both technical skills and a sense of responsibility in the younger generation.

Indirect Beneficiaries:

• Wider Community: The broader community of learners, particularly through OLE Nepal’s online and offline platforms, will also benefit from this initiative. Over 30,000 yearly users of the E-Paath platform will experience enhanced content, aligned with the latest national curriculum and improved for user engagement. Additionally, the project’s updates will benefit the 1,800+ offline servers deployed across Nepal, ensuring that students in schools without internet access can still access up-to-date educational content.
• Local Governments and Schools: The initiative will provide local governments with the tools and strategies to enhance educational equity in their regions. Schools will benefit from upgraded infrastructure, including digital labs, teacher training, and access to high-quality digital resources.

The key expected outcomes for the EAST project are as follows:

In 12 Project Schools:

• Enhanced Teacher Competency in ICT: Training approximately 120 teachers across 12 schools to effectively integrate ICT tools into their teaching practices. Success will be evaluated through post-training assessments and observable application of ICT in their methodologies.
• Direct Student Impact: Targeting an improvement in ICT literacy among approximately 2,160 to 6,480 students. Outcomes will be measured by students' ability to utilize digital tools and resources effectively and their engagement with the newly introduced ICT-based curricula.
• Tech-Enabled Learning Environments: Establishing fully functional tech-enabled classrooms in each targeted school. Success will be quantified by the operational status of these environments and the routine use of digital resources by students and teachers.
• Ongoing Support: Providing consistent support through "Teaching with Technology Fellows," with success measured by the frequency and quality of interactions between fellows, teachers, and students, as well as the resultant positive changes in classroom practices.
• ICT Student Clubs: Creating and sustaining active ICT Student Clubs, measured by club formation, membership, and execution of club-led initiatives and activities.
• Sustainability Plans: Developing and implementing a sustainability framework for the continued use of ICT resources post-project. Success will be evaluated based on the adoption and execution of these plans by school administrations and local government.

General Outcomes:

• E-Paath Platform Enhancement: Upgrading E-Paath to provide a more interactive and user-friendly experience, with success measured by user feedback, increased engagement metrics, and the integration of new features based on curriculum and user needs.
• Expanded Access to Digital Learning: Through the project's offline servers and enhanced E-Paath platform, broader access to quality educational content will be provided. Impact will be assessed through user statistics, engagement rates, and feedback from the broader online community.
• Data-Driven Improvements: Utilizing user data to refine and enhance educational content, with success measured by the effectiveness of these data-informed adjustments in improving user engagement and learning outcomes.
• Foundation for Future AI Integration: Preparing the E-Paath platform for potential future AI enhancements by incorporating adaptable features and collecting relevant user data. Success will be evaluated based on the platform's readiness for these advancements, ensuring it remains a cutting-edge educational tool.

Phoenix Foundation