KATHMANDU, April 16: On Friday evening, a panel consisting of Khagraj Baral, Director General from the Department of Education; Prof Dr Bidya Nath Koirala; Prof Dr Susan Acharya from Tribhuvan University; and Kajal Pradhan from Restless Development discussed problems concerning girls' education and the ways forward.
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The discussion 'Girls' Empowerment through Education: English and Digital Skills' was part of the event organized by British Council to premiere its 'English and Digital for Girls' Education' (EDGE) project's documentary at Hotel Radisson in Lazimpat.
The documentary 'Bridging the Gap: English and Digital for Girls' Education' is directed by filmmaker Tsering Rhitar Sherpa. It showcased the project's works in Nepal, Bangladesh, and India where young girls in rural areas learn about ICT and the English language. The EDGE project, run in Kavrepalanchowk, Lalitpur, Makwanpur, Gulmi, and Arghakhanchi Districts, has been designed by the British Council and is jointly run by the British Council, the US Embassy and Equal Access Nepal.During the discussion, the panelists spoke about the social and cultural factors like menstruation taboos and child marriage preventing education for girls, the importance of changing the way teachers teach their students, and the lack of quality education in the country.
Khagraj Baral stated that between grades one to five, almost 5% of children are dropping out of class each year. He also said that though Nepal lacks quality education, the government's agenda is to provide education to everyone. He cited 'lack of government funds' as the reason behind why quality of education has not improved in the past decades.
Kajal Pradhan said, "Social education is equally important to formal education. We have to work at changing the mindset of people. The investment on girls' education is not yet enough."
She stressed on the fact that the 'chalk and talk' method is still the only way adopted by teachers. "I believe the curriculum is quite holistic. It is the style of delivery of the lessons that should be changed," she said.
Photographs capturing moments from the EDGE project shot by photographer Thomas Kelly was also exhibited at the venue.
The event was aired live on Nepal Television.
