Building Future Foundation: Journey of Banaspati ECD to a Brighter Classroom via READ Child Project
Located in Ward No. 1 of Konjyosome Rural Municipality, Lalitpur District, Bagmati Province, Shree Banspati Basic School was established in 2034 BS (1977 AD). This school facilitates education for the children from the community and runs classes from ECD to grade 5. The service for the children stands as a shining example of how rural education can be transformed through strategic interventions. As the school serves as an education hub for the community, 21-23 children are being currently served in the ECD class.
Since the initiation of READ Child Project, Shree Banspati School has been a part as a project school. Since then, the project partnership continued to benefit the children in the community. Throughout its involvement, the project has consistently identified and addressed the challenges of ECD through providing essential support across all phases of READ Child project. Even in the READ Child-III phase, significant improvements have been made in the school’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) classroom, leading to a major transformation in its learning environment.
Over the years, the project has evolved to meet the unique challenges and needs of the ECD centers. For Banaspati School, this has meant substantial improvements in both educational materials and the overall classroom environment, enhancing the learning experience for its young students. Before joining the READ Child project, Banaspati School’s ECD classrooms struggled with a shortage of basic resources and teaching aids, which negatively impacted both learning outcomes and student attendance. The classroom lacked structured spaces for activities, and teachers often had to rely on improvised toys, making it difficult to create an engaging and effective learning environment. This scarcity of resources limited the ability to provide quality education, particularly for the youngest learners.
Under the READ Child-III Project, Banspati ECD received a range of educational and infrastructure improvements tailored to its specific needs. The project provided refresher training for ECD facilitators, equipping them with effective methods for engaging young children and enhancing the early learning process. To make learning more engaging, diverse educational tools, play materials, and other teaching resources were supplied, which increased students’ interest and participation. Additionally, the creation of various “Learning Corners” for subjects like language, math, and science, along with a dedicated resting area, helped create a more child-centered learning environment. School bags and stationery supplies were also distributed to ensure children had access to essential learning tools.
The impact of the project has been significant, with improvements in the ECD classroom transforming the learning experience. Facilitators are now able to engage students in more creative, interactive, and hands-on ways, fostering cooperation, self-regulation, and cleanliness among the children. Facilitator Anita Ghalan shared, “Previously, we had limited resources, and it was challenging to engage the children. But now, with the project’s support, the quality of learning has improved. The children are also developing habits of discipline and organization.”
The READ Child (all Phases) Project’s partnership with Shree Banaspati School has made a lasting impact, setting a promising path for the future. The collaboration between the READ Child Project and Banspati School has greatly enhanced the school’s educational environment, and there is hope for even more progress in the future. As one of six government schools participating in the “READ Child” (Rural Educational Aid for Developing Children) project, led by the NEW Initiative, Banaspati School has witnessed remarkable progress in its Early Childhood Development (ECD) program.