Khotang District
2 Rural Municipalities- Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality
- Aiselukharka Rural Municipality
Safe Schools, Strong Learners Project (SSSL Project)
SSSL Project
Education, protection, and participation are at the heart of the SSSL Project.
The SSSL Project is a child-focused education and local governance project implemented by Samarthya Foundation in partnership with the Australian Himalayan Foundation.
The project works across five Rural Municipalities in Khotang and Solukhumbu districts of Koshi Province. It aims to create safer, more inclusive, and child-friendly learning environments while strengthening children’s participation in decisions that affect their lives.
By working with children, schools, teachers, families, communities, and local governments, the SSSL Project brings together quality education, child protection, safeguarding, inclusion, and Child Friendly Local Governance.
Project History
- May–June 2026
Baseline Study
Baseline assessments conducted across the target areas of Khotang and Solukhumbu.
- July 2026
Project Launch
The SSSL Project begins implementation across five Rural Municipalities.
- 2026–2027
Project Rollout
Work begins with children, schools, communities, and local governments across the project area.
- Ongoing
Strengthening Local Systems
Support for quality education, child participation, safeguarding, and Child Friendly Local Governance.
5Rural Municipalities
2Districts
1Province
All WardsAcross Target Municipalities
The SSSL Project brings together education, child protection, participation, and local governance to help create communities where children are safe, included, heard, and supported to learn and grow.
Where We Work
Reaching Remote Communities
SSSL Project is implemented across five rural municipalities in Koshi Province.
Project area
Solukhumbu District
3 Rural Municipalities- Likhupike Rural Municipality
- Nechasalyan Rural Municipality
- Mapya Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality
The project works across all wards of the five participating rural municipalities, engaging children, schools, communities, and local government structures.
2Rural Municipalities in Khotang
3Rural Municipalities in Solukhumbu
5Rural Municipalities in total
WHY THIS PROJECT
Children Need More Than Access To School.
Children in remote communities of Khotang and Solukhumbu can face barriers that affect their learning, safety, inclusion, and participation. SSSL Project brings these needs together in one project.
Learning Gaps
Schools need stronger support to deliver quality, child-centred, and inclusive learning for every child.
Safety and Protection
Children need safe environments that protect them from violence, discrimination, abuse, and harmful practices.
Limited Participation
Children need more opportunities to express their views and participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Stronger Local Systems
Local governments, schools, and communities need stronger systems that place children’s rights and well-being at the centre.
SSSL Project connects education, safeguarding, inclusion, child participation, and local governance so children can learn, feel safe, be included, and be heard.
What We Do
Building safer, stronger, and more inclusive learning environments.
SSSL Project works across five connected areas to improve education, strengthen child protection, and support children’s participation in schools and local governance.
Safe and Child-Friendly Schools
Creating safe, inclusive, and supportive school environments where children can learn without fear of violence, discrimination, or exclusion.
Core Activities:
- Child-friendly school environments
- Inclusive classroom practices
- Positive discipline
- Child protection
- Safe school facilities
Protection, Inclusion, Positive Discipline, and Child-Friendly Learning
Quality Teaching and Learning
Supporting teachers and schools to strengthen child-centred teaching and create engaging learning experiences that help children participate and succeed.
Core Activities:
- Teacher development
- Child-centred teaching
- Inclusive education
- Classroom support
- Better learning outcomes
Quality Teaching, Active Learning, and Inclusive Classrooms
Child Rights and Participation
Helping children understand their rights, build confidence, and take part in decisions that affect their schools, communities, and lives.
Core Activities:
- Child rights awareness
- Child clubs
- Child club networks
- School participation
- Local planning
- Leadership development
Rights, Participation, Leadership, and Representation
Safeguarding and GEDSI
Strengthening systems and awareness so children can learn and participate safely, with particular attention to inclusion and protection from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
Core Activities:
- Child safeguarding
- PSEAH
- Gender equality
- Disability inclusion
- Social inclusion
- Safe reporting
Safeguarding, GEDSI, Protection, and Dignity
Child-Friendly Local Governance
Working with rural municipalities and wards to place children’s rights, participation, protection, and best interests into local planning and service delivery.
Core Activities:
- CFLG standards
- Child participation in planning
- Child-sensitive decision-making
- Local accountability
- Child club networks
- Stronger local systems
Participation, Accountability, Rights, and Local Action
Who We Work With
Working Together Around Every Child.
SSSL Project works with the people and local systems that shape a child’s learning, safety, participation, and well-being.
Children and Young People
Children are supported to understand their rights, build confidence, participate in decisions, and learn in safe and inclusive environments.
Teachers and Schools
Teachers and school leaders are supported to strengthen child-centred learning, inclusion, safeguarding, and school environments.
Parents and Communities
Parents and community members are encouraged to take an active role in children’s education, protection, and well-being.
Rural Municipalities and Wards
Local governments are supported to strengthen child-friendly governance, planning, accountability, and service delivery.
Child Clubs and Networks
Child clubs create spaces for children to develop leadership, raise issues, understand their rights, and participate in school and community processes.
Local Education Stakeholders
Education officials and local structures are engaged to strengthen planning, school support, coordination, and accountability.
Child-Friendly Local Governance
Putting Children’s Rights into Local Action
Nepal’s Child Friendly Local Governance framework promotes children’s rights to survival, protection, development, and participation. Through Safe Schools, Strong Learners, Samarthya Foundation works with Rural Municipalities, Wards, schools, and communities to strengthen these principles in practice.
Child Clubs and Networks
Participation in Local Planning
Protection from Violence
Child-Friendly School Facilities
Inclusion and Non-Discrimination
Children’s Voices in Decision-Making
Helping local systems become more responsive, inclusive, and accountable to children.
What We Aim to Achieve
Building Lasting Change
The SSSL Project aims to contribute to lasting improvements in both education and child-friendly governance.
Safer Schools
Safer and more child-friendly school environments.
Better Learning
Better quality teaching and learning for children.
Children’s Participation
Stronger participation of children in school and local government decisions.
Child Rights Awareness
Greater awareness and understanding of children’s rights.
Positive Discipline
Reduced use of corporal punishment in schools.
Stronger Safeguarding
Improved safeguarding and PSEAH practices.
Greater Inclusion
Better inclusion of girls and marginalized children.
Engaged Families
Stronger parental engagement in children’s education.
Stronger Local Government
Greater local government capacity to meet CFLG standards.
Better Coordination
Stronger coordination between schools, communities, and local governments.
Our Partnership
Working together for children
Australian Himalayan Foundation
Funding PartnerSupporting Safe Schools, Strong Learners Project to strengthen quality education, child protection, participation, inclusion, and child-friendly local governance in remote communities.
Samarthya Foundation
Implementing PartnerWorking with children, schools, teachers, families, communities, and local governments to deliver the project across five rural municipalities in Khotang and Solukhumbu.
A Shared Commitment to Children
Safe, heard, supported, and empowered.
Safe Schools, Strong Learners Project is built on the belief that every child has the right to learn safely, be included, and have a voice in decisions that affect their life.
By bringing together children, schools, families, communities, and local governments, the project works to create environments where children are safe, heard, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
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