Children Life skill Development Programme

Child Rights Promotion Programme

Children are the present and the future of the country, the means by which any real change must come about. In the present context of Nepal, children are excluded from practicing their rights as laid down by the Child Rights Convention. Public (state) school education in Nepal has been predominantly designed around passing examinations, without offering much opportunity for children to practice their learning outside the classroom. The tendency of the formal school system in Nepal is to finish the course book regardless of whether learning takes place or not. As such, the true potential of children is not realised. Taking this into account, GAN supports schools to form a child club simultaneously to their formal teaching.

Child Club

Child club is a platform for children where children can explore their innate talents and potential and develop their social life skills such as, leadership, communication, decision making, problem solving skills etc. from an early age. It helps to strengthen children’s abilities to develop self-confidence through participating in interactive learning, exercising their rights and responsibilities, and imparting their knowledge and skills to peers and adults. The platform generates enthusiasm amongst the children which in turn means that they are keen to organise and participate in the various activities which ultimately enrich their personalities. In each project site GAN supports partner schools in establishing child clubs and encourages them to be actively involved in diversified activities such as awareness raising on various issues in the community, organising extracurricular activities, project work, and discussing issues important to them. Child clubs receive a series of training and workshops, particularly on: child club management; child rights and responsibilities; facilitation; communication; decision making skills; developing open theatre and acting; door to door visits; and basic research. GAN believes that children can only creatively flourish when they are given an amicable environment to perform activities independently, using their own knowledge and capabilities.

Child Club Participation in School Management Committee (SMC) Meeting:

The head teacher of Kavresthali Secondary School Ms. Gyanu Bhandari is very positive about forming a child club in the school and involving children in the school management body, the SMC.

Kavresthali Secondary School- a success story Kavresthali Secondary School Administration was facing problems with regard to collecting school admission fees and the monthly tuition fees of the children from their parents. Being a government school it was not allowed to collect any sort of fee from children, as government policy states. Parents and some students protested on the notice issued by the school for the collection of fees.

Whilst education up to certain level/grade is in theory free of cost, it is impossible in reality to maintain the school for a whole year with the limited budget allocated by the government. The government budget does not even cover day-to-day administration and salaries to the private teachers additionally hired by the school. The school was on the verge of acute financial problems which partly hampered the teaching learning process of the school.

The school administration one day called a meeting with the child club in its school and shared its difficulties in managing the school budget. The child club was also aware of the problem faced by the SMC. The child club therefore decided to conduct a door-to-door campaign to inform parents about the funding crisis in the school and the need to pay admission and tuition fees on time. The action taken by the child club was met positively by most of the parents and the problem was solved within a few weeks.

The child club persuaded the SMC to make their work and school financial transactions transparent to the students and Parents. Now, the SMC and School Administration of Kavrestrhali Secondary School has been involving child club representatives (one boy and one girl) in the SMC meeting and in the decision making process of the school.

CHILD CLUB; a Platform for Developing Life skills

"The training on life skills made me more disciplined, cooperative and empathetic and helped develop my leadership skills. In the beginning I used to think that life skills training is all nonsense but when I got involved in it I felt lots of positive changes in me within a short space of time. It made me aware of contemporary issues and the negativity within me started disappearing".

"I am highly impressed by GAN's working modality with children and youths" Mahendra Bhattarai, President , Shanti Secondary School ,Armala. Kaski

Child club - A vehicle for change

"I am currently studying in Grade 8. I am one of the top students in my school and I have worked hard to get here. One day, Global Action Nepal (GAN) came to our school and introduced the concept of child clubs in order to promote the involvement of children in extracurricular activities. Initially I was hesitant, but when my teachers encouraged me to join the clubs, I joined. I am now very glad to have joined. I have learnt various skills from it, I can now: talk in public without hesitation; organize programs; and lead other children. I have developed my interpersonal and leadership skills. Therefore I would like to thank GAN for this opportunity and encourage other students to join child clubs too".

-Kanchimaya Tamang
A child club member

"My name is Baikuntha Adhikari and I am currently studying in Grade 9. I had family problems which always hindered my dreams for progress. My parents did not have time for me and my brother was into bad things. Nevertheless when I joined the child club formed by GAN, I was able to share my feelings with other students. I learnt about new things which were both useful and entertaining. I performed in street plays and attended first aid training sessions. I also conduct discussions with parents in my neighborhood. We discuss issues surrounding what kind of environment they should be making at home in order to enable their children’s development. I don’t want other people to go through what I had to. I am very happy and would like to thank GAN for this life changing experience".

-Baikuntha Adhikari
A child club member