THE DIFFERENCE PRESCHOOL CAN MAKE
Anita, age 4, is the first child you are likely to notice when you visit the early childhood development (ECD) center in Simalphanta village in far-western Nepal. She is very enthusiastic and is usually the first to call out answers to the teacher’s questions. Ten years ago, chances are that Anita would have been among the 70 percent of dalit (untouchable caste) children in this part of Nepal who did not complete primary school. Today, she is looking toward a brighter future.
Anita’s mother, Manju, age 26, says Anita loves to go to school. “Whenever I try to keep her at home to help me with chores, she insists on going to school,” says Manju. “And she cries whenever there is no school.” Anita’s teacher, Madhavi, talks about how attentive Anita is in class and how she likes to write and dance. When she comes home from school, Anita often shows her parents the dances she learned that day.
Anita’s parents are both illiterate and her two older siblings – ages 10 and 8 – are behind in school. Her 10-year-old sister is in second grade and her 8-year-old brother is in first grade. Neither of the older children attended ECD classes. Asked about the difference between Anita and her older siblings, Manju replies: “Anita asks me to comb her hair, oil her hair and cut her nails. She tells me not to eat food touched by flies, or else I will get sick. My older children never did these things. I am learning from Anita to be more hygienic around the house.”
Anita’s teacher says she has high hopes for Anita. “Anita likes to try everything,” said Madhavi. “She is very good at role playing and she likes to play doctor. She always wants to be the doctor and have another child be the sick person. She diagnoses tummy aches and tells the other children their problem is that they did not eat good food. So maybe she will become a doctor.”
Save the Children began its early childhood development program in Nepal in 1997. We currently support about 1,000 centers - like the one in Simalphanta - with teacher training, educational materials and funds for preschool building construction.
Watch "A Success Story in Nepal".
