The KheldaiSikneKendra or KSK is a flexible learning centre with a child centred learning environment which tries to meet the special needs of hard to reach out of school children using the multi-grade multilevel methodology (MGML) and caters the needs of children of different age groups and grade levels. Children attending KSK can drop in the KSK centre anytime between 10 am to 4 pm and can engage in various learning activities of their interest. The KSK centre is managed by a team of two trained facilitators and an intern including a focal person to monitor and report the activities.
The beneficiaries of KSK include urban out of school children and adolescents aged 10-18 years, street children, children selling newspapers, porters, domestic and industrial laborers, children working in the construction works, automobile workshops and other daily labor works, children in the transportation sector, children employed in hotels and hospitality jobs etc.
The KSK initiative was started in the year from December 2014 through support from UNICEF and partnership with the local municipalities and implementing partners. In the year 2016/17, the KSK centers were expanded to the two Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in Dhanusha (Hanuman CLC) and Kathmandu (Swoyambhu CLC). A tripartite agreement is being continued with local municipalities as lead and implementing partner/ CLCs and Samunnat Nepal as technical support partner for the year 2018/2019.
Major achievements of the program:
- An innovative flexible center with a child friendly learning environment has been formed. Each of the center is equipped with carpeting with cushions and low tables, cupboards, teaching and learning materials, required stationery, audio visuals etc.
- The local facilitators hired by Local Partner/ CLC have been provided with phase wise training on child centred learning process, MGML methodology, KSK management as well as reporting aspects.
- A detailed profile of the children has been maintained in each of the centres based on which the following ethnicity data can be shown. The KSK centres have reached out to 40% Muslims followed by 23% Dalits and 19% Madhesis, 9% Janajatis covering the Tamangs, Tharus, Newars etc and 6% comprise the indigenous Tharu and Chepang castes and 3% Brahmin Chettri castes. Regards Mother tongue, around 43% speaks Awadhi language followed by 22% speaking Maithali and 13% speak Nepali. The remaining 9% speak Hindi, 6% speak Bhojpuri, 4% speak Chepang and 2% speak Tamang language and 1% speak Magar language.
- More than 1000 children (49% girls) have been the beneficiaries of this intervention till now. Nearly half the children (47%) studying at the KSK centres are of the age group 10-12 years followed by 34% children belonging to 13-15 years age group while 15% children are of age group 16-18 yrs. There are few- 4% of age group 8-10 years.
- An assessment framework for measuring learning by setting up learning standards has been developed and tools for assessment have been developed which is being currently used by the facilitators to assess the learning levels of the children.
At present:
- Ownership by the local government to give continuity to the KSK centers and support the education of out of school adolescents is being carried out
- KSK centers can be the platform for a holistic intervention of various programs for children linking to skills development, livelihood, protection and at risk programs etc.