An e-learing tool reduces the number of school drop-outs, improves education and adds excitement to teaching/learning for teachers and students.
Not long ago, most students of Hatuwagadhi rural municipality of Bhojpur district were reluctant to go to school. But now they can't wait to go to school because of a new learning technology in their schools. Education is a high priority sector in the country’s development plans, however progress to improve the quality of education is slow due to inadequate teaching methodologies, and lack of appropriate learning tools. But after a new e-learning tool was introduced in four government schools of Hatuwagadhi rural municipality with the support of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme (REEEP) (previously carried out under Renewable Energy for Rural Areas Programme (RERA)), learning has become easier and effective, as per the students and teachers. The attendance rate of students has also increased as they have started to enjoying classes. Four schools—Panchakanya Basic School and Shilasutkeri Primary School of ward no: 4, Bidhyapokhari Lower Secondary School of ward No: 8 and Jalapa Lower Secondary School of ward no: 9—have adopted an e-learning tool developed by Midas E-class Pvt. Ltd.
The novel teaching tool with its animated audio-visual techniques and display features has garnered the attention of the students. Around 485 students and 20 teachers from these schools have directly benefited from the training. The new tool has not only triggered the children's interest in education but also improved the quality of education. Now, the children attend their classes on time and stay until the end. Students have developed a keen interest in the audio- visual method of learning, according to teachers. The number of school dropouts has also decreased. Tanka Thapa, principal of Bidhyapokhari Lower Secondary School, Hatuwagadhi-8, Bhojpur, says: “We found that this method of teaching is very useful and effective. Students are drawn to it because it delivers classes in an interesting style. They are not only interested to learn more, but have also started to concentrate on their studies.” Also, many parents have welcomed the teaching method in rural schools. They are also happy to see that it has made their children eager to go to school.
With the objective to improve the quality of education, the rural municipality had provided the schools with a computer and a projector. But lack of electricity meant, the equipment couldnt be utilized for the purpose. After the installation of a 1200 watt peak solar system in the schools with the support from the Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC), e-learning became possible. Midas E-class was contracted by the programme to organize training on the electronic education system in different parts of Koshi and Sudurpaschim province.
Prem Kumar Rai, the chairman of Hatuwagadhi rural municipality, is a former teacher. He is excited that his own initiative for the quality of education has come to fruition. He has planned to expand the method to all the schools in the rural municipality. After the success of Midas e-learning method in the schools of Bhojpur district, the REEEP/ RERA programme has also successfully implemented this method in 7 government schools in rural municipalities of Sudurpashchim Province.
