​EMPOWERING RURAL EDUCATION THROUGH INNOVATION: THE CLEC AT SHREE SARASWATI SECONDARY SCHOOL, GORKHA

Nestled in the serene hills of Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality, Gorkha, Shree Saraswati Secondary School is undergoing a powerful educational transformation. At the heart of this change is the Collaborative Learning Environment Center (CLEC) — a visionary initiative by Digital Bridges for Nepal (DB4N) aimed at enhancing education quality, digital literacy, and community collaboration in rural Nepal.

How It All Began: Sparking a Digital Learning Revolution

The journey of the CLEC initiative at Shree Saraswati Secondary School began with a spark of inspiration. After witnessing the success of the first CLEC at Shree Siddhakali Secondary School, local leaders recognized its potential to transform education through technology and collaborative learning. Encouraged by this success, the Mayor of Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality invited DB4N’s founder, Mr. Edmond Antoine, to bring the same opportunity to more communities.

This vision laid the foundation for expanding CLECs across the region — turning traditional classrooms into dynamic, tech-enabled learning hubs. Shree Saraswati Secondary School became one of the key partners in this growing movement to bridge the digital divide, empower educators, and open new pathways of learning for rural students.

​PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: FROM VISION TO REALITY

Scouting and Assessment (March 9–10, 2025)

A DB4N team visited Shree Saraswati Secondary School to evaluate its readiness for the CLEC project. The school was found to be well-positioned for the CLEC setup. During this visit, school leaders, teachers, students, and community representatives, including the ward chairperson, expressed enthusiastic support. The rural municipality committed to providing at least 12 laptops, with plans for additional support in the next fiscal year.

Phase One: Equipment Installation (April 29, 2025)

Despite disruptions caused by a nationwide teachers’ strike, the installation of the CLEC was successfully completed. The space was equipped with:

• A movable table
• A wall-mounted smart board
• A laptop charging cabinet

Furniture and electrical setups were overseen by Mr. Saugat Balami and his team, supported by Mr. Prakash Shrestha from DB4N. The interior branding and design were led by Mr. Binod Tamang, a senior graphic designer from Kathmandu, creating a vibrant and professional learning environment.

Phase Two: Onboarding and Training (May 13–20, 2025)

Following installation, CLEC onboarding and teacher training sessions were conducted. Led by DB4N’s Team Leader, Mr. Nitesh Prasai, along with Mr. Prakash Shrestha and Mr. Bhola Nath Dhital of Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED), the sessions focused on collaborative digital learning.

A special 1-credit course on the CLEC approach was organized on May 19–20 for 17 teachers — including those from Shree Siddhakali Secondary School. Facilitated by Mr. Sandip Dhungana and Ms. Samikshya Hada from KUSOED’s Continuing Professional and Education Center (CPEC), the course aimed to empower rural educators with skills in digital integration, collaboration, and inclusive teaching.

​IMPACT: A NEW ERA OF LEARNING

The CLEC at Shree Saraswati Secondary School is already transforming the educational landscape by:

• Increasing student engagement and digital literacy
• Enhancing teaching with e-learning and multimedia tools
• Broadening access to information and 21st-century skills
• Enabling the community to benefit from shared learning opportunities

Students now engage in more interactive, project-based, and collaborative learning experiences, while teachers leverage digital content to enrich their pedagogy.

​SUSTAINABILITY AND LONG-TERM COMMITMENT

To ensure the sustainability of the CLEC initiative, DB4N has embedded a five-year follow-up commitment into its agreement with partner schools. Key components include:

• Weekly support for lead CLEC teachers
• Remote troubleshooting and pedagogical assistance
• A dedicated monitoring team to track impact and ensure continuous improvement
• A CLEC student club (under development) to foster student leadership and peer learning

Additionally, a research assistant from KUSOED has been appointed to conduct ongoing surveys and evaluations to measure the center’s educational and community impact.

LOOKING AHEAD: A MODEL FOR RURAL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The CLEC at Shree Saraswati Secondary School stands as a beacon of innovation, equity, and resilience in rural Nepal. It not only bridges the digital gap but also nurtures a culture of learning that extends beyond the classroom, empowering both students and the broader community.
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As DB4N and local stakeholders continue to work together, this initiative is poised to become a model for rural digital education, where every child, regardless of geography, gains access to the tools and opportunities of a brighter future.