The Mountain Trust

Nepal’s education can be improved “Radio Guru” will scale up the existing work, distributing wind-up radio receivers to the underserved communities and expanding existing FM school radio coverage to offer quality education for all. The Mountain Trust – a UK/Nepalese charity, has worked for 8 years with rural Nepalese communities and has begun broadcasting school programmes alongside other activities. Many children work in the mountains crushing stones with no education or health- care and only a subsistence diet. Long-term improvements require education. Nepal Statistics28.5m population, 83% rural48.6% Literacy 46.2% school leavers attain secondary diploma In many mountainous areas it is impossible to get good teachers and children have to work. Current experience and studies from UNICEF show radio is already an effective solution. Hence the “Radio Guru” Project.

Radio Guru: school on air for the mountainous regions Currently there is FM broadcasting of secondary education programs for half an hour each day in 28 of Nepal’s 75 mountain districts Research shows that the programs are well received and have a positive effect on teachers’ morale, attendance and learning There is political support both in Nepal and the UK Progress Increased school attendance in mountain areas by mitigating low availability of qualified teachers Solution to the problems of access to distant schools, particularly in the monsoon season Access to education for many children who do not have time or funds to attend school Radio Guru Provides Initial trials of education on air have been positive UNICEF advice for expansion: Incremental scale-up

Projected targets for Radio Guru: children reached and milestones 4 Pilot phase Increase awareness Teacher recruitment and curriculum development Current work in mountain communities shows positive response Not enough awareness of the project 2009 Expansion of curriculum to include primary and adult education Technology investment to increase area of operation Start expansion of counties reached Target children reached 1,500,000 1,000, , , ,000 20,000 Effectiveness review of method and progress Expansion of hours of operation

DFID in education in Nepal Raised primary school enrolment from 82% to 89% DFID will help…(by 2015) Build over 400 new classrooms & repair additional children enroll to school Provide 250,000 textbooks Increase the number of children from excluded groups to complete school Source: DFID Development in Nepal DFID has Although only 42% of those who enroll actually finish secondary school Although difficult to measure impacts and many needs remain un- served

We are working towards the same goals You will have a more complete portfolio Nepal is currently not set to reach the Millennium Development goal on education Radio project: low cost, huge measurable impact We can synergise with your existing work Yours:Nepal Community Support Programme (infrastructure) Ours: Radio project enhance the education (create an enabling environment) We share similar values Yours: Deliver poverty alleviation results through managing Britain’s aid to poor countries Ours: A UK/Nepalese charity focused on achieving DFID’s mandate

Mountain Trust’s principles Transparency Audited accounts Frequent feedback from program participants Proactive Flexible Committed Capable Track record Measurement Budget to include performance and impact measurement Targets and outcomes to be tangible

“Radio Guru” project can promote and demonstrate DFID’s impact Funders know how every penny is spent : Audited accounts Link funding to specific children, families, teachers Check latest online records (updated each term) of each beneficiary Enable visits from people in the fund Professional management of the scheme Media is powerful: The project will film a 30 minute documentary (by children) to show the changes, and have it broadcast worldwide We will Compile a quarterly E-magazine with photos and articles (authored by children, parents, teachers, volunteers & program officers) Promotion through temples and community leaders

Results possible with staggered funding Pilot phase Increase awareness Teacher recruitment and curriculum development Pilot phase Increase awareness Teacher recruitment and curriculum development Effectiveness review of method and progress Expansion of hours of operation Effectiveness review of method and progress Expansion of hours of operation Technology investment to increase area of operation Start expansion of counties reached Expansion of curriculum to include primary and adult education Technology investment to increase area of operation Start expansion of counties reached Expansion of curriculum to include primary and adult education Begin pilot projects in specific areas £50,000 End pilot project Reach 2010 targets £100,000 Run project throughout Nepal for 5 years £350,000

Reproduction in other remote areas of the world, such as Afghanistan Summary: Benefits of Radio Guru