Teach For Nepal (TFN), a national movement aimed at bridging academic disparity among schools, was launched in the Capital on Thursday.

The TFN, which is modelled after Teach For America initiated nearly 25 years ago to place the brightest young people in primary and secondary schools in low-income communities for two-year teaching commitment, is the first of its kind in Nepal. The mission of the new initiative is to address the quality of education in the classroom as well as to change the existing teaching methodology in the country. Under the programme, 33 young graduates who were selected from over 1,400 applicants will serve in 16 community schools in the southern belt of Lalitpur district. “A child’s place of birth and socio-economic conditions determine his or her future in our country today,” said TFN Chief Executive Officer Shisir Khanal. “The performance of public schools, which is deteriorating these days, directly hampers students’ future.” The TFN, according to Khanal, is a movement to end educational disparity by improving the quality of education in public schools where 80 percent of children are enrolled.

The graduates who will be deployed in their respective schools next week come from all over the country and represent various professionals, including engineers, journalists, development activists and scientists.

The TFN plans to increase the number of teaching fellows every year and plans to deploy 50 in 2014 and 100 in 2015 and expand it to other parts of the country as well. “There should be an equal access to education for everyone to create equitable society and the TFN has initiated this process,” said Kedar Bhakta Mathema, an education expert. The Golchha Organisation, Buddha Air, the Embassy of Finland and the US

government have financially supported the programme.

The TFN leadership includes Mathema, Professor Man Prasad Wagle, former secretary Rameshore Khanal, Mega Bank CEO Anil Shah, Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa, journalist Kiran Nepal, Goldstar Shoes Director Rajan Shrestha and Ullens School Director Reshu Aryal Dhungana.

Finnish Ambassador to Nepal Asko Luikainnen, US Ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde and Golchha Organisation’s Director Shekhar Golchha were also present in the launching ceremony.

source: the kathmandu post,19 april 2013