The right to thrive
In Nepal’s west, inclusion and innovation courtesy of the Tole Sikshya initiative has helped bring a young girl with disability back into the classroom
Kapilvastu, Nepal: Mahjabeen Khatun’s young life has been marked by many hurdles. The youngest of six siblings born into a family in Parsolia in Yashodhara Rural Municipality in Kapilvastu District in Nepal’s west, Mahjabeen’s mental disability led to unique challenges early on.
The family had initially been unsure about the nature of her condition, but as she grew older, various issues started to become apparent, including Mahjabeen’s difficulty in speaking properly. Even when they became aware of her developmental issues, their limited income as a family of farmers meant that providing their youngest the medical care she needed was not easy.
New challenges arose when, at the age of 12, Mahjabeen was enrolled in a local madrasa. Julekadar Musalman, head teacher, remembers how both the little girl and the madrasa staff had struggled at first. “She was very scared and had trouble interacting with other children – she would often sit by herself and cry,” he says. “She frequently missed classes, and on many occasions, the teacher actually went to her house to convince her to come to the madrasa.”
Things only worsened when the pandemic hit, and schools and madrasas closed their doors. The few shaky steps forward that Mahjabeen had managed to take in terms of learning were threatening to roll back.
It was amidst all this that in 2022, UNICEF – supported by USAID – and in partnership with the Kalika Self-reliance Social Center (KSSC) brought the Tole Sikshya initiative to the area, to help children like Mahjabeen transition back to the classroom. Consisting of regular after-school sessions, the Tole Sikshya programme is geared at making use of interactive educational methods and materials and innovative digital resources to create joyful environments that foster learning recovery.
The more Mahjabeen attended these sessions, the more she started to open up to her teachers and fellow students. One of her Tole Sikshya teachers Sandip Kalwar talks about the changes he has noticed in her. “She was enjoying her classes so much more… she joined her peers in playing, singing and even dancing,” he says.
These days, Mahjabeen attends the madrasa every day, confidently greeting her teachers when she enters the premises, and walking happily into her classroom. Her experience is a testament to the power of inclusive education, demonstrating that with the right support and resources, every child can thrive.
