Nepal Disabled Women Association NDWA completed five interaction programs in Bagmati Province with School Principals, the School Management Committee (SMC), Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and Ward representatives of 40 schools of LEARN project. The schools were provided with high and low-technology learning materials and training.

NDWA held five discussion programs in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Dhading, and Kavre. Based on the principles of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), interaction programs were organized for the principal of the school, school management committee, parent teacher association and the representatives from the ward to orient about inclusive education, UDL linking with disabilities, learning materials (low and hi-tech), importance to use learning materials and role of SMC and PTA to manage the materials addressing diversity and needs in the learning of children in the classroom.

In these five orientations, 86 participants from 40 schools including head teachers, ward chairpersons and members of the respective wards, members of parent teacher association, and members of the school management committee participated.

During the orientation, a discussion was held to influence the local government and school management to give priority to technology-friendly teaching and learning methods in order to achieve equal learning through using low and high technology in the classroom for children who are struggling or have difficulties in learning at the primary level.

At the orientation, participants agreed that learning through using technology would bring positive impact on the students. The principals of all the schools prepared a plan with a commitment to include high and low technology in the curriculum in their School Improvement Plan (SIP) and will manage the materials.

Earlier, 4 teacher training related to the UDL and 3 refresher trainings based on UDL were completed for teachers teaching in government, special and resource schools. The aim of the training was to facilitate addressing diversity and needs in children’s learning by using high and low technology, based on the principles of the UDL.

Based on these principles, the teachers were trained on how to gain learning using multiple means such as using low and high technology in the classroom with other children who are struggling in learning or have difficulties. The training was facilitated through group work with the participation of the teachers on the importance of universal principles of learning, classroom management and individual educational planning.

This refresher training was organized for 96 teachers of 49 schools from 4 districts under Bagmati Province to further specialize the training provided in four phases.

LEARN Project All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD), USAID, World Vision, and the Australian Government’s financial support and World Education Inc. Leveraging Existing Accessibility Resource in Nepal – LEARN Project 7 trainings have been organized for 167 teachers of 49 schools under Bagmati Province to improve the language and reading skills of all children of elementary grades including children with disabilities.