Nepal
The Government of Nepal is committed to ECD as demonstrated through the Strategy Paper adopted in 2004, National Plan of Action, and the draft amendment of the Education Act. With the new School Sector Development Plan (SSDP) starting in July 2016, the government is committed to increase quality access of ECD programs nationally by funding one year of pre-primary education. Participation from the communities and NGOs are also strongly encouraged to expand and improve ECD provisions.
The term ECD is generally used in Nepal and distinguishable in two forms to target children between 3 and 5 years of age: i) school-based pre-primary classes and ii) community-based child development centers. Children under three are generally supported through home-based programs and daycare centers.
Since 1996 , Nepal has successfully halved the rates of infant, under-five, and maternal mortality. Despite progress, the high prevalence of stunting and low birth weight due to malnutrition continues to plague the country. With 15% of its population living below the poverty line, pressure continues to intensify in providing comprehensive and quality ECD services to benefit all children in Nepal.
Challenges
- Lack of programs for children from birth to three years of age.
- Inadequate professional training and motivation of ECD personnel.
- Limited inter-sectoral coordination and commitment from various ministries for holistic ECD services.
- Insufficient funding to implement ECD programs.
Priorities
- Strengthen inter-ministerial coordination mechanism.
- Strengthen parental programs to ensure holistic development of children under 3.
- Create a strong network between the government, communities, NGOs, and INGOs to advocate for ECD programs in Nepal, align on priorities, and coordinate actions.
- Mainstream independently-operated private centers under a common ECD curricular framework.
- Improve quality of ECD programs by building capacities of ECD personnel.
- Strengthen ECD program monitoring and supervision.
- Promote and advocate cultural and children rights. Incorporate indigenous knowledge and traditional practices into Parental Education and ECD Education Programs through activities such as music, dance, storytelling, and plays.
Ministries in charge
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizen, and Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration
Key Policies
- National Strategy Paper for Early Childhood Development
- National Minimum Standards for ECD Centers
- Early Learning and Development Standards (48-60 months)
- Early Childhood Education and Development in School Sector Development Plan 2016-2023
National ECD Network
National Representative
Arnec National Representative Nepal
UNICEF
Dr. Dipu Shakya
Dshakya@unicef.org
Noteworthy Practices
1. Collaborative partnerships to scale up ECD programs
- Noteworthy aspects: The government’s effort to expand ECD centers have been matched with strong support from local communities, including NGOs, community-based organizations, and the private sector.
- Achievements: Rapid expansion of ECD centers from 5,023 in 2004 to 35,121 in 2014. 77% of girls between three and four years of age are enrolled in 35,121 ECD centers nationally.
2. District Integrated ECD Plan (District ECD committees supported by UNICEF)
- Noteworthy aspects: District Integrated ECD Plan is a coordinated and joint effort to provide holistic ECD services in the districts. Under District ECD committees, stakeholders like District Development Committee, District Education Office, District Public Health Office, District Child Welfare Board, District Water and Sanitation Office, NGOs and schools come together to plan for integrated ECD services.
- Achievements: 23 out of 75 districts have developed District Integrated ECD Plans.
3. Community engagement for ECD program sustainability (implemented by the Seto Gurans Network)
- Noteworthy aspects: Supportive community in establishing effective yet low-cost ECD centers, through funds-generating cooperatives, land donation, food sharing, and facilitators’ training via sister organizations of the Seto Gurans network.
- Achievements: School readiness of 40% of children who participated in the ECD program. A total of 351 centers were established with low facilitator turnover rate, well-equipped facilities, and child-friendly learning environment.
4. Healing and Education through Art or HEART (implemented by Save the Children Nepal)
- Noteworthy aspects: Children undergoing difficult circumstances, including those exposed to conflict and trauma, are introduced to art activities with locally available materials to creatively express themselves. HEART-incorporated curriculum of 78 ECD Centers have met the National Minimum Standards.
- Achievements: The project has been scaled up to two other districts in Western Nepal after a successful piloting phase.
Testimonies
“It is well known that children who attend pre-school are more likely to continue to mainstream schooling and are less likely to drop out. As part of its commitment to poverty reduction and human capacity development, the Ministry has prioritized the development of the Early Childhood Education sub sector in recent years. The national Early Childhood Care and Development Policy emphasize the expansion of services for the most vulnerable.”
- HIS EXCELLENCY IM SETHY
MINISTER OF EDUCATION, YOUTH AND SPORT, CAMBODIA, 2014
Latest Resources
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aliquam at porttitor sem. Aliquam erat volutpat. Donec placerat nisl magna, et faucibus arcu condimentum sed.