In the past, school lessons in Nepal were taught only in Nepali, a language many children did not speak at home. It was a well-meaning effort to prepare the children for the wider world, but it often left children fearful of speaking up. This began to change with the introduction of multilingual education (MLE) training programs.
Teachers participated in the training, which encouraged them to start education in the mother tongue of the children and gradually introduce Nepali as a second language. Parents describe the shift in their children’s confidence and eagerness to share what they learn. The multilingual approach helps close the gaps that too often leave children behind, especially those from ethnic minorities, remote areas or low-income families.