PROJECT BACKGROUND
After the successful installation of the Collaborative Learning Environment Center (CLEC) at Shree Siddhakali Secondary School, the mayor was impressed by its innovative design and the potential for fostering collaboration within the school and community. Inspired by this, he requested our founder, Mr. Edmond Antoine, to establish a similar facility in the new administrative building of the Rural Municipality. This request initiated the CLEC (Community Learning Environment Center) project at Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality, aiming to bring technology and collaboration closer to the community and connect with other CLECs in the area. Following the success of Siddhakali and R.M. projects, DB4N is collaborating with Bhimsenthapa Rural Municipality to establish a CLEC at Bindrawati Secondary School.
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Scouting of the Project Area
From March 8 to 10, 2025, the Digital Bridges 4 Nepal (DB4N) team visited Shree Bindrawati Secondary School in Bhimsenthapa Rural Municipality to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a CLEC. The school is accessible via a gravel road and has a reliable solar backup. A dedicated room of 345 sq. ft and a 120 Mbps internet connection was provided for the CLEC setup.
During discussions, the school principal and teachers expressed strong interest in the project, highlighting the need for teacher training and digital learning tools. Students showed enthusiasm for learning through technology, and the School Management Committee, along with local government representatives including the ward chairperson, pledged their full support. While the school has a few laptops, Bhimsenthapa Rural Municipality committed to providing at least 12 for initial CLEC use, with an additional 4 laptops planned for the next fiscal year.
During discussions, the school principal and teachers expressed strong interest in the project, highlighting the need for teacher training and digital learning tools. Students showed enthusiasm for learning through technology, and the School Management Committee, along with local government representatives including the ward chairperson, pledged their full support. While the school has a few laptops, Bhimsenthapa Rural Municipality committed to providing at least 12 for initial CLEC use, with an additional 4 laptops planned for the next fiscal year.
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Phase One of Installation
On April 27, 2025, the Digital Bridges of Nepal (DBofN) team successfully completed Phase One of establishing the CLEC at Shree Bindrawati Secondary School in Bhimsenthapa Rural Municipality (BTRM), Gorkha. Despite delays caused by a nationwide teachers' strike, installations were completed on schedule. The CLEC room was equipped with a mobile table, a laptop charging cabinet, and a wall-mounted smart board.
The furniture and electrical setup were managed by our partner, Mr. Saugat Balami, and his team, with support from Mr. Prakash at DBofN. Additionally, Mr. Binod Tamang, a senior graphic designer from Kathmandu, led the branding and design, giving the space a vibrant and professional atmosphere. This milestone was made possible by the unwavering support of BTRM officials, school staff, and the local community, for which we are deeply grateful.
The furniture and electrical setup were managed by our partner, Mr. Saugat Balami, and his team, with support from Mr. Prakash at DBofN. Additionally, Mr. Binod Tamang, a senior graphic designer from Kathmandu, led the branding and design, giving the space a vibrant and professional atmosphere. This milestone was made possible by the unwavering support of BTRM officials, school staff, and the local community, for which we are deeply grateful.
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Phase Two of Installation
Onboarding and Training of Students and Teachers
Following the successful installations, Phase Two commenced with onboarding and training programs for CLEC teachers and students from May 13 to 20, 2025. The onboarding session was facilitated by Mr. Nitesh Prasai, Team Leader at DB4N, along with Mr. Prakash Shrestha, Project Coordinator, and Mr. Bhola Nath Dhital, Research Assistant from Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED). The sessions focused on the CLEC approach to collaborative teaching and learning.
Seventeen educators, including newly selected CLEC teachers and existing teachers from Shree Siddhakali Secondary School, participated in a 1-credit course on the CLEC approach held on May 19–20. This training was co-facilitated by Mr. Sandip Dhungana and Ms. Samiksya Hada from the Continuing Professional and Education Center (CPEC), KUSOED, and aimed to empower rural educators and students to create inclusive, collaborative, and future-ready learning environments.
The training took place in the newly installed Community Learning Environment Center, marking a significant step toward sustainable educational transformation in BTRM. The CLEC initiative aims to foster inclusive, tech-enabled, and emotionally supportive learning environments, nurturing 21st-century skills in both educators and learners.
Following the successful installations, Phase Two commenced with onboarding and training programs for CLEC teachers and students from May 13 to 20, 2025. The onboarding session was facilitated by Mr. Nitesh Prasai, Team Leader at DB4N, along with Mr. Prakash Shrestha, Project Coordinator, and Mr. Bhola Nath Dhital, Research Assistant from Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED). The sessions focused on the CLEC approach to collaborative teaching and learning.
Seventeen educators, including newly selected CLEC teachers and existing teachers from Shree Siddhakali Secondary School, participated in a 1-credit course on the CLEC approach held on May 19–20. This training was co-facilitated by Mr. Sandip Dhungana and Ms. Samiksya Hada from the Continuing Professional and Education Center (CPEC), KUSOED, and aimed to empower rural educators and students to create inclusive, collaborative, and future-ready learning environments.
The training took place in the newly installed Community Learning Environment Center, marking a significant step toward sustainable educational transformation in BTRM. The CLEC initiative aims to foster inclusive, tech-enabled, and emotionally supportive learning environments, nurturing 21st-century skills in both educators and learners.
Ensuring Project Sustainability Through Continued Support and Monitoring
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the CLEC initiative, Digital Bridges of Nepal (DBofN) has included a five-year follow-up commitment in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with partner schools. This includes weekly follow-ups with lead teachers, who are responsible for supporting other CLEC teachers within their schools.
A new CLEC student club concept is in development, and a research assistant has been hired to conduct surveys and measure the project's impact both within the school and the broader community. In addition to regular check-ins, DBofN will continue providing remote support to address any technical or instructional challenges. A dedicated monitoring team will be established to assess the project's effectiveness and ensure continuous improvement throughout the five-year period.
A new CLEC student club concept is in development, and a research assistant has been hired to conduct surveys and measure the project's impact both within the school and the broader community. In addition to regular check-ins, DBofN will continue providing remote support to address any technical or instructional challenges. A dedicated monitoring team will be established to assess the project's effectiveness and ensure continuous improvement throughout the five-year period.