English and Digital for Girls' Education (EDGE), a four-year project under GEC-T’s Sisters for Sisters Education (SfS-II) project, aimed to improve girls' English, digital, social, and mentoring abilities peer-to-peer model, completed in June 2021. Through direct engagement with resources such as technology, software, and printed materials, the project successfully interacted with and influenced the lives of around 1372 girls throughout the years.
Through the remote post-COVID-19 interventions like Meena Video telecasted in National television, Radio Udaan programme broadcasted in Radio Kantipur and different local radio stations and self-access and self-paced printed reading materials, catered the young girls with 21st-century skills development.
Some of the Peer Group Leaders and the club members directly involved in the project have provided few closing remarks which are shared here.
Simrika Giri, Ranipauwa Secondary School, Dhading
Before getting involved in the English and Digital for Girl’s Education (EDGE) project, I knew nothing about using laptops and phablets and had no realisation of the existing social issues around us.
I got to travel for the first time to Dhading Bhesi and underwent training as a Peer Group Leader (PGL). After my return to school, I and other PGLs started facilitating EDGE Clubs in our schools and started training our peers on the use of laptops and using all the English learning resources shared with us. Even during the lockdowns, we kept in touch through calls. Parents of the club members were also happy as the learning continued through the booklet distributed by the British Council and the Television and Radio programmes.
My house is very far from school so sometimes I used to feel burdened by the responsibilities but somehow, after being a PGL, understanding social issues and the rights of a girl child, I feel confident and independent. If I become financially independent and services are provided, I can surely make my own clubs for girls and change the lives of many girl child.
Rupisa Shrestha, Salyantar Secondary School, Dhading
Initially, I was shy and hesitant to lead the English and Digital Girls’ Education club, but my confidence grew with time.
I was also happy to go to Dhading Bhesi for the Peer Group Leader trainings and meet other students from new schools. I learned a lot of technology in the clubs by using phablets and laptops. I made very good friends in the EDGE club. Overall, it has been a happy and effective learning experience for all of us as I learned new skills, which is boosting my confidence to a great extent.
Sadikshya B.K, Janjyoti Basic School, Dhading
I am very grateful for being involved in the English and Digital for Girls’ Education project, because, throughout the pandemic, our master trainer called us and motivated us to continue our learning, and work with the club members through radio, TV, and self-access booklets. We were also sent learning materials during the lockdown.
The stipend we received for taking part in lockdown projects was very useful for our household because the pandemic has been difficult.
Sadiksha, during the pandemic time, in her own initiative, reached out to the club members and made learning groups with them and helped them fill in the self-access booklets. British Council is thankful for her dedication and good work ethic during the pandemic time.
