Project details

Project background

The Australian Himalayan Foundation works in partnership with the people of the Himalaya to help the most disadvantaged meet their priority needs through integrated improvements in education, health and the environment.

Without access to quality education, children in the remote communities like the Everest region of Nepal are deprived of essential life skills and knowledge gained from education, and are more likely to remain trapped in the cycle of poverty.

Project overview

Established in 2005, AHF’s flagship Teacher Training and Quality Education (TTQE) program is helping to ensure that children living in one of the poorest regions of Nepal have access to inclusive, high quality primary education for improved opportunities now and into the future. 

TTQE focuses on developing schools in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal to become centres of excellence (Namuna schools) with quality teachers and educational resources, and provide safe and supportive learning environment - integrating schools and community members.

AHF works with its partner REED Nepal to continuously improve opportunities through education.

Following an evaluation and a project redesign, 2018/19 was the first year of a new three-year plan. The key achievements during that year were:

1. 1,553 students (790 girls) at 14 schools accessed improved quality education via TTQE schools;
2. 860 children in grades 1-3 were provided with literacy materials;
3. 34 children accessed improved nutrition via school meals pilot program;
4. 489 very vulnerable children received financial and material assistance to continue schooling; and
5. 180 students and 60 teachers received orientation in hygiene practices, and new hand washing facilities provided at 7 schools. 

Furthermore, the focus for 2020 will continue to be:

1. The development of ‘Namuna’ schools which serve as models to other schools around the district; 
2. To improve children’s competency in Nepali literacy in early years;
3. Improve learning outcomes in the three main foundational subjects: Science, Maths and English; and
4. Provide scholarships and other support to very marginalized and disadvantaged children.

What's covered in project cost

The program costs cover:

• Supporting AHF community partner REED to travel to the Everest region for training and in-school support.
• Teaching resources and aids.
• Training workshops.
• Provision of training materials.
• Travel costs and other fees for trainers and volunteer teachers.
• Funding related to program monitoring and evaluation.

Partners and community involvement

Accredited by the Nepalese Government’s National Centre for Education Development and implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Education, AHF’s Teacher Training and Quality Education program is recognized as one of the most comprehensive education programs in Nepal.

TTQE is implemented by the AHF’s Nepalese NGO partner REED Nepal with technical support from the AHF in areas such as program design, management, monitoring and evaluation. Monitoring and evaluating  under-performing schools and teachers encourages better outcomes through in-school support, which continues to be an effective means to support the implementation of teacher training. Trainers from REED visit the schools in remote communities to observe the training in-school and provide valuable feedback and ongoing support.

The Australian Himalayan Foundation is a registered charitable organisation, a member of the Australian Council for International Development and accredited by the official Australian Aid program (DFAT).

Part of a larger strategy

AHF’s flagship Teacher Training and Quality Education (TTQE) program continues to deliver on its long term goal of providing better opportunities in life for children in the remote Solukhumbu region of Nepal through improving the quality of education.

This is achieved through the upskilling of teachers, strengthening and school governance, providing educational resources, and empowering children, women, parents and community members.

We are continuing to work with REED to identify and address the key barriers to children attending school. This includes building a community that facilitates and encourages:

• education;
• teacher training;
• literacy programs;
• parent volunteer opportunities;
• facilitating school representatives in planning and milestone setting;
• support to child-led clubs; and
• providing materials for classroom and school upgrades.

The program has also made several efforts to ensure gender inclusion and retention of women and girls in education including Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) orientation training, as well as address the special needs of children with disabilities.