Beyond Books with Literacy Enrichment

Since grade 7, Kalpana has been a beneficiary of the Literacy Enrichment Program, which was designed to address the challenges of disorganized and underutilized libraries in schools. Now in grade 9, Kalpana’s journey illustrates how the program, implemented by Calls Over Ridges Nepal (CORN) in partnership with public schools, has positively reshaped her life.

CORN’s Literacy Enrichment Program

To address these challenges, CORN initiated a Literacy Enrichment Program in partnership with 3 public schools: Garjhangdhunga Sec. School, Bauddha Bhuwaneshwary Secondary School and Kalika Secondary School. The program involved designating a library space, providing 45 minutes for study time equivalent to one class period, and equipping the library with bookshelves and other resources. The goal was to establish a sustainable system managed by the school, with CORN’s support during the initial stages.

CORN hired and trained them for the librarian position to assist in understanding and managing the library system. They implemented library software to catalog books and track data accurately, allowing for effectively organized activities related to book reading. In Kalpana’s school, a total of 2500+ books are now recorded in libraries targeting students and teachers across different categories. The program also required libraries to be open daily for 45 minutes for each grade, fostering reading habits and engagement with diverse materials.

Finding Kalpana’s Voice

The Literacy Enrichment Program had a transformative effect on students like Kalpana, who had been shy and solely focused on her academic pursuit. The Literacy Enrichment Program allowed Kalpana to engage in interactive tasks and teamwork during librarian sessions. Through this, she found herself exploring new areas of interest and engaging in interactive tasks and teamwork. The program introduced her to a vibrant world of relationships, breaking the silence that once dominated the classroom.

One of Kalpana’s most notable experiences was her journey with chess. While watching her teacher play chess during a librarian session, Kalpana found the game intriguing. Despite minimal interaction, she was captivated simply by the movement of the chess pieces. With the support of a dedicated teacher, she was able to pursue her passion for the game, learning valuable lessons in resilience, strategy, and perseverance. Her determination and success on the chessboard mirrored her academic and personal growth.

Beyond Books

Kalpana’s story exemplifies how the Literacy Enrichment Program empowered students by nurturing their interests and fostering holistic development. The program aims to provide a holistic learning experience by incorporating a variety of activities that cater to different interests and learning styles, including both indoors and outdoors. While books, reading, and libraries are central components, the program also emphasizes the importance of physical activities and hands-on learning experiences, such as volleyball, basketball, public speaking, chess, and solving the Rubik’s cube, to build their capacities and physical fitness.

By offering a diverse range of activities and clearly linking them to the program’s educational goals, students can see how different forms of learning complement each other. Kalpana’s experience with chess, for instance, highlights the value of strategic thinking, which can be applied in various contexts, both indoors and outdoors, enhancing the overall learning experience. The 45-minute session allocated to library classes became incubators for holistic development, expanding the horizons of students and cultivating well-rounded individuals ready to face the world with confidence.

Kalpana’s story reminds us that libraries are not just about managing books but nurturing dreams, igniting passions, and shaping the futures of students willing to address life’s challenges. Together let’s create gateways to boundless learning and personal growth of students.