BHAKTAPUR, Feb 16: In a bid to increase learning skills of children, the government has started a model national early grade reading program in community schools in six districts. 

The information was shared at a media orientation program with the theme on 'national early grade reading program ' organised by the Department of Education on the premises of Bhaktapur Education Office. 

The districts where the program has started in the first phase include Bhaktapur, Kaski, Kanchanpur, Banke, Manang and Saptari, said deputy director of the department Bishnu Prasad Adhikari while addressing the event. 

The total 129 community schools in Bhaktapur alone are running the program at present. Under the program launched from the current academic session, emphasis has been laid on enhancing quality of curriculum of local language and learning techniques, Adhikari said. 

According to the preliminary report of a baseline survey carried out by the USAID which has funded the program, learning capacity of 64 percent of grade two students and 81 percent of grade three students was very low. 

At the event, District Education Officer, Bhaktapur, Arjun Bahadur Rayamajhi said the programme has attracted inflow of students with many community students witnessing a huge flow of students lately. 

Launched under the USAID project, the five years program aims to be expanded to other 15 districts soon and further expanded across the country within the set timeframe, said the program facilitator Hit Kumari Gurung. The USAID has funded USD 50.38 million for the project. RSS 

 
• government
 
• national early grade reading program
 
• government