As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year of progress, learning, and engagement through the LLEST (Empowering Local Communities through Local Language Education and Skill-Based Training) Project. Coming to the year end, our commitment remains the same, as we address Nepal's educational challenges focusing on the need for learning materials in local dialects for early childhood development and the issue related with the lack of free, quality resources for skill-based training. Here’s a look back at some of the key developments from October to December 2024.
Following our initial field visits in September 2024 to Siddhartha Kula Basic School in Tinje, Dolpo, and Ghami Solar School in Mustang, we gathered feedback on our learning platform. (You can also explore the details of these visits here.) This quarter, we focused on implementing those feedback and making improvements, including enhancing the platform’s UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience), resolving the platform’s navigation challenges, refining filters in search options, addressing bugs, and optimizing offline functionality for a better user experience.
We completed Version 1 of the platform, which now integrates O.L.E. Nepal’s educational resources such as E-Paath, E-Pustakalaya, and Hamro Ramailo Kathaharu (HRK) into a unified digital space. Although this version is not yet live online, offline versions are being implemented at project schools. Additionally, we integrated Project Gutenberg in the unified platform, offering over 70,000 free eBooks, expanding the available resources. Selected books will be included in the offline versions, enhancing access to learning materials for students.
Based on insights gathered from field visits and needs assessments in Mustang and Dolpo, we initiated the development of skills-based courses to address gaps in foundational reading skills, particularly comprehension. To tackle these gaps, we are focusing on developing language skills courses in English and Nepali languages. We are also developing courses to include life skills and technical courses, based on the learning needs identified in workshops. Some of the courses in development include Climate-Responsive Design Foundations, Foundational Financial Literacy, and Basic Photography Skills.
In the last quarter of 2024, we extended our outreach to new project areas, conducting surveys in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, and Dhangadhimai Municipality for school selection. Minnath Adarsha Sikshya Sadan in Lalitpur Metropolitan City was identified as a project school, where various activities are currently underway. These include conducting workshops for students and teachers, deploying tablet devices and providing training support, and carrying out student surveys to gather insights.
In December, school surveys were completed in Janakpurdham Sub-metropolitan City, Dhanusha and Dhangadhimai Municipality, Siraha leading to the selection of one school in each municipality: Madhyamik Vidyalaya in Janakpurdham and Shree Janta Adharbhut Vidhyalaya in Dhangadhimai. Preparations are being made to initiate similar field activities in these schools during the first quarter of 2025.
Collaboration with local authorities, education officers, and communities continues to be an integral part of the LLEST Project. In Lalitpur, we formalized agreements with the local ward no. 12 where the school is located, ensuring the community's active involvement and commitment to the project. During visits to Janakpurdham and Dhangadhimai, we engaged directly with education officers and local officials, signing project agreements and ensuring that the school selection process was both formalized and aligned with local priorities. These partnerships have greatly strengthened our connections with key stakeholders and reinforced local ownership of the project’s goals.
In collaboration with our partner communities in Mustang, Dolpo, and Lalitpur, we began the planning phase of sourcing and translating indigenous stories into local languages. These stories are crucial for enhancing local language resources, and we are currently planning for a systematic collection and translation process.
In November, our team participated in an insightful ONGD-FNEL workshop in Pokhara, where we explored impact evaluation strategies and future collaboration opportunities with other ONGD-FNEL partners in Nepal. The knowledge gained has been important in reflecting our approach to assessing the outcomes of the project.
As we step into 2025, the LLEST Project is set to advance with the implementation of key activities. Our priorities for the upcoming quarter include:
By February 2025, we aim to complete the first round of field activities in these areas, focusing on deploying the first version of the learning platform in project schools. This will be accompanied by providing training and technical support to teachers and students, conducting teacher and student surveys, organizing workshops for both groups, and performing user and usability testing of the platform to gather valuable feedback for further improvements.
We are currently in the design and development phase of creating language and other skills-based courses. By mid-2025, we aim to complete the development of 10 planned courses. These courses will be made available to learners, and we will evaluate their effectiveness by gathering feedback. We aim to use the input to guide us in refining the courses further to make sure they meet learners' needs and provide a meaningful learning experience.
We extend gratitude to our partner ONGD-FNEL and local stakeholders at each project location in Lo Ghekar Rural Municipality, Mustang, Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality, Dolpa, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Lalitpur, Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, Dhanusha and Dhangadhimai Municipality, Siraha for their support and collaboration. The support remains important for creating sustainable educational opportunities for all.