UMN’s new Nepali phonics materials will help Nepali children learn to read, confidently and accurately, in just three months.

Research in Nepal has shown that about 62% of the children in grade 3 still don’t know how to read. This is alarming, and will have a long term effect on a generation of learners. UMN has researched the market for effective and consistent phonics books suitable for children of 5-6 years old. Sadly, no such materials were available in Nepali for young Nepali learners.

UMN’s Education Team has developed  Reading, Writing and Learning and Teaching Reading, Teaching Writing and Teaching Learning, a student book for 5-6-year-olds, with a teacher guide, that willbe a first step to a life full of learning and exploring.

After just 20 minutes a day over 3 months, students will be able to read their first story independently.

The first training for teachers took place in Rupandehi Cluster last week, and was very well-received by teachers. The children also enjoyed the new books and are enthusiastic about learning in this different way.

UMN’s Education Advisor, Astrid Smith, said: “We are very excited to be launching this new programme, and are confident it will make a real difference in how children learn to read.”