Janakpur Education Project: Fostering Children’s Empowerment through Child-Centric Learning
The Janakpur Education Project was implemented from 2024 to March 2026 at Shree Rastriya Basic School, Haspatti-01, Nagarain Municipality, Dhanusha, Madhesh Province, with the aim of creating a more engaging, inclusive, and child-centered learning environment.
A key component of the project was the establishment of a child-friendly library, designed as a welcoming and inspiring space where children could read, explore, imagine, and develop a lifelong interest in learning. The library was equipped with age-appropriate books, attractive learning materials, creative spaces, and child-friendly furniture to encourage reading habits, curiosity, independent learning, and active participation.
The project also focused on strengthening teachers’ capacity through a four-day Art-in-School professional training program facilitated by Srijanalaya. The training supported teachers of Grades 1–6 and school leaders in integrating visual and performing arts into everyday classroom teaching. Through practical, hands-on sessions, teachers explored drawing, collage, clay, construction, weaving, printmaking, creative movement, and other art forms and learned how to integrate them into subjects including Nepali, English, Mathematics, Science, and Hamro Serophero.
The training introduced curriculum-aligned, art-integrated lesson plans incorporating learning objectives, materials, preparation, and step-by-step activities. Teachers were also encouraged to develop their own creative classroom activities based on students’ learning levels, interests, and needs.
Through the combined approach of child-friendly library development and arts-based teacher professional development, the Janakpur Education Project contributed to strengthening children’s creativity, confidence, participation, communication, and enthusiasm for learning. It also equipped teachers with practical and innovative approaches to make classroom learning more engaging and child-centered.
The Janakpur Education Project was generously supported by Books for Change, Switzerland. Their valuable support contributed to creating sustainable opportunities for quality, creative, and child-centered education in public schools of Nepal.
