BHOJPUR, NEPAL, JUNE 10th, 2025 – The Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (LIKE) Lab at Kathmandu University School of Arts hosted a participatory stakeholder mapping session with Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members under the theme “Participatory Appraisal for Stakeholder Mapping at Community Level”. Held at Hotel Bhintuna in Bhojpur, the event gathered 14 participants, including teachers, PTA representatives, and the LIKE Lab team, to reflect on strengthening community engagement for child-centered education.
The meeting aimed to:
- Introduce PTA members to the objectives and core components of the CVEC Project (Promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Schools, Building on What Children Value and Aspire to Do and Be).
- Facilitate understanding of the 16 capabilities framework that centers children’s voices.
- Encourage community-driven strategies to promote inclusive and equitable learning environments.
The welcome session was moderated by Community Mobilizer Saurav Raj Bhandari, who introduced LIKE Lab’s mission and the session’s purpose. Following Research Fellow Ms. Isha Karki presented the CVEC Project, highlighting:
- Project timeline, location, and objectives
- Principles of knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration
- The 16 capabilities children have prioritized across Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh
- Two short videos — one featuring children’s hopes and aspirations, and another animated video on the 16 capabilities — were screened to support visual understanding.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
Participants responded positively to the project and contributed the following suggestions and reflections:
- Emphasized the need for quarterly engagements in Bhojpur to maintain momentum and reinforce practices.
- Gained a clearer understanding of how to embed gender equality and inclusion in everyday school practices.
- Suggested clarifying the roles of stakeholders and possibly focusing more on lower grades (below Grade 5) for early intervention.
- Urged the inclusion of parents in future sessions and awareness campaigns.
- Noted the importance of bridging the gap between parents and children through better communication and shared understanding of learning goals.
- Encouraged increased parental responsibility in both school and home environments.
- Requested training on IT and AI integration in education.
- Expressed interest in capacity-building programs related to school improvement plans, parenting, and use of digital resources.
- Found the capability videos enlightening in understanding children’s aspirations and aligning teaching with those goals.
- Appreciated the emphasis on children’s voices and the collaborative spirit of the session.
