SIQAEE

In Nepalese, “SIQAEE” means “to learn”, and this initiative enables exactly that and more. Between 2024-2028, our SIQAEE (School Improvement for Quality Assurance and Enhancement in Education) project will bring significant improvements to the education systems in the Hupsekot and Baudikali Rural Municipalities in Nepal, transforming 20 selected schools across the region. Supported by ONGD FNEL Luxembourg and the Child Welfare Scheme Hong Kong (CWSHK), this is our first project which extends beyond the Kaski (Pokhara) region.

SIQAEE's main objective is to improve the overall quality of education by focusing on both the physical and academic environments of schools. The project aims to enhance school infrastructure, including classrooms, sanitation, clean water, safety, and recreational facilities. It also aims to improve Early Childhood Development (ECD) through providing specialised resources and teacher training, opportunities for extra curricular activities, and parental engagement to inspire and empower these communities.

This initiative bounces off the learnings from our previous, and ongoing, Child Friendly Schools (CFS)  project. It leverages our learnings into these largely underdeveloped regions. The defining features of the SIQAEE project are it’s focus on extracurricular activities, career guidance, computer and life skill education. It has an emphasis on providing space for activities from sports, self-defense and health sessions which are designed to nurture confidence and diverse talents. Parents are also encouraged to become more involved in their children’s education through home visits and educational workshops, which helps to bridge the gap between school and home.

At its core requires a strong partnership with local authorities which we are proud to have. Right4Children’s SIQAEE project office is situated in the local government building right next to one of the schools; a proximity which helps foster a sense of collaboration, accountability and responsibility. By working together from the beginning, we ensure local government stakeholders are engaged and see our successes as shared.

The project has already seen some great successes including:

-          The physical development of 8 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers such as flooring improvements, mural art creation, WASH material support (dustbins, brooms, female toiletry vending machines etc), and filters for safe drinking water.

-          169 teachers trained

-          1455 Students reached through dental camp, menstrual hygiene, and sexual and reproductive health training

-          145 students (grades 1-5) taking remedial classes

-          244 female students reached through self-defense training

-          694 parents reached through parental education sessions

-          90 homes visited and 118 parents provided counseling for improvement of students’ performances at home and at schools.

While we have achieved these successes so far, naturally there have been challenges, particularly in terms of coordinating with local government systems, managing expectations for physical construction, and engaging parents and teachers. To mitigate these issues, we are continuously channeling clear communication, intensive follow ups, and advocacy with local education authorities.

As a small team, one of our greatest challenges is physically accessing these schools. Their remote locations and the time it takes to reach them, impacted by the harsh terrain and state of the roads in these areas, make our on the ground work more difficult to carry out. Despite this, we do our very best to achieve the greatest impact we can.

Over the next five years, SIQAEE is expected to contribute significantly to the improvement of educational standards in the region. By equipping both educators and parents with the tools and knowledge they need, SIQAEE aims to create an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally. The long-term goal is to champion child rights and set a precedent for education improvement projects across Nepal.