Making digital learning accessible for all
Swayambhu Community Learning Center takes a step towards bridging the digital and learning divide
Kathmandu, Nepal: In Kathmandu, just five minutes from the World Heritage Site, Swayambhunath Stupa, sits a haven tucked from the city’s bustle: a quiet and safe learning space for children and adolescents.
This safe learning space, known as a Community Learning Center (CLC) serves as a refuge for out-of-school, migrant, and street children and adolescents, bringing a sense of normalcy into their lives through daily flexible learning.
The Swayambhu CLC is more than a place to learn; it is a lifeline that connects the whole community.
Here, children find support to re-enroll in school, build skills for employability and access help from the local government on child protection issues. It is a space where learning, safety and community support come together under one roof.
Building on this foundation, the CLC is continually evolving to meet the changing needs of its children and adolescents, exploring new ways to enhance learning and skill development.
This evolution took a major step forward during UNICEF’s recent visit, which marked the establishment of a digital learning space equipped with tablets and online resources.
Supported by UNICEF, these digital learning modules, including government-accredited materials and the Akelius digital learning platform, support children and adolescents to acquire numeracy and literacy, digital literacy, and skills for employability in a format accessible to all students- including those with disabilities.
In a city like Kathmandu, where the IT sector is growing exponentially, digital learning can give adolescents a new and critical skillset that can help them find meaningful employment opportunities.
During the device handover, several familiar faces gathered- among them were CLC “graduates.”
These were children who had once been out of school but found their way back to learning through the CLC’s support. Today, they are thriving as students after having returned to formal schooling, a living testament to the center’s impact.
Among those familiar faces was Dawa. Just one year ago, UNICEF first shared his story, of a young brave boy living on the streets who came to the CLC every day seeking education, safety and a sense of normalcy.
A year later, Dawa stands half a foot taller and is thriving in grade six at a nearby public school. With the combined support of UNICEF’s partner Samunnat Nepal, the CLC management team, and the local government, he returned home and now lives with his parents who themselves received parental guidance and support from local community actors, helping the whole family rebuild their lives together.
Dawa has big dreams, and every dreamer leans on support from their community to achieve them.
When Dawa sat down with the devices, he was elated.
“We don’t even have these at school!” he exclaimed as he excitedly began exploring the Akelius digital learning platform.
He was most eager to learn new skills through the new digital devices - vowing to return to the CLC outside school hours to learn about life skills like financial literacy.
We asked Dawa if he still hoped to become a Gorkha soldier one day, celebrated around the world for their courage and strength. “You remember!” he exclaimed with a bright smile, before confirming, “Yes, and now I even get up early to train in the morning before school to train.”
Dawa may still be a few years away from achieving his dream, but his determination hasn’t wavered. He remains focused on his goal. By staying in school, Dawa is gaining the literacy and numeracy skills and broader knowledge he needs to one day achieve his dream.
The Swayambhu CLC is on its way to becoming a model programme thanks to its success in supporting children and adolescents who need it most.
With its new digital capacity, the center can now reach adolescents in even more meaningful ways, helping to strengthen their learning and skills development.
Together, the Government of Nepal, UNICEF, and their partners, including the Let us Learn and Akelius , are driving a powerful vision forward: one where every CLC can mirror Swayambhu’s success - a vision where every child and adolescent can access the education they rightfully deserve and equip them with skills for future success.
