Patrick leads educational change in Nepal

Making a difference

A visit to Nepal in 2006 impacted Lane Cove’s Patrick Price to such an extent, that it led to him starting a charity that is changing educational outcomes for thousands of children in that country.

As a teacher himself, Pat’s first visit to Nepal exposed serious issues with its educational and disciplinary standards. This was reinforced in subsequent visits, where Pat assisted in classrooms for up to eight months at a time. “Nepal is a very peaceful country, but inside the classroom I witnessed and have read thousands of cases about verbal humiliation and physical corporal punishment dished out to vulnerable young children. “One classroom could have Patrick Price has established a up to 70 kids together in a charity which is providing educational small, dark space with rote opportunities to thousands of Nepalese students. learning and strict discipline being used to manage the group. Kids can’t learn in that sort of environment - it was leading not only to high dropout rates, but physical and psychological damage. “My vision was to set up a way to show teachers - many of whom had no formal training themselves - how you can educate and manage a classroom without students feeling threatened and fearful." Pat set about setting up the Centre for Learning and Children's Rights (CLCR) in 2007. This Australian not-for-profit organisation is delivering educational and humanitarian projects in Nepal through its volunteer work, project implementation and skills training.

“Education is so important. This has been my opportunity to give back, using my skills to assist the people of Nepal.”

Developed initially to deliver educational change through professional teacher training, the charity then went on to establish a school with a vision for practical and violence free education. The Heartland Academy was started in 2008. Located in Kathmandu, this school has educated thousands of students in the past ten years, and currently has 500 students enrolled from primary through to tertiary level.

“We selected the location of the school based on the fact that it was a very poor community, with many of the students coming from backgrounds of abuse. We look to provide as much support as possible – this includes a 25-bed hostel for students that don’t have a home,” says Pat.

The school employs 78 staff, mostly Nepali teachers who are dedicated to providing a safe, non-violent educational environment which caters for individual student learning needs and encourages the holistic development of all children as individuals and as leaders.

When Pat started his work in Nepal in 2006, upwards of 70% of female students would leave school around grade 3.

“A lot of our focus with the Heartland Academy is on the long-term support of females through scholarships and educational opportunities. It’s leading to real societal change, as these girls now have far greater choice in their lives which is having such a positive impact for these communities.”

Heartland Academy also offers two tertiary streams in science and management, with teacher training about to commence.

Managed solely by volunteers, CLCR Australia oversees the administration, fundraising and project management for the Heartland Academy. In excess of 97% of all money donated is used directly by the school, and for development initiatives including CLCR’s teacher training program: Education and Disciplining Children with Dignity in Nepal.

Pat manages his work with the charity in his spare time, in between juggling commitments with his young family and his fulltime position with the NSW Department of Education.

“It gives my life great meaning. We’ve had some great turn arounds since we started it. Upwards of 10,000 kids have come through our school and we’ve helped change their lives by providing a positive learning experience.”

Pat’s work was recognised when he received a Paul Harris Fellowship from the Rotary Club of Lane Cove. This award is one of the highest honours that Rotary can bestow upon a person, and recognises outstanding contributions in humanitarian and educational programs.

For more information on CLCR, together with opportunities to assist this worthwhile charity through volunteering or financial support, see

www.forchildrights.org

It’s almost three years since the earthquakes in Nepal. In the aftermath of this disaster, the Heartland Academy was used as a refuge centre.

Pat explains that there were over 100 people living on the basketball courts of the school, with another 30 families taking shelter in their adjoining hostel and class rooms. CLCR were able to assist with water; food; temporary kitchen facilities; solar recharging for mobile phones; counselling for both children and adults (which is ongoing), together with emergency educational packs when school was able to start again.

“We had an opportunity to support the community and we’ve worked hard to help them to rehabilitate. Some level of psychological damage still exists, but we pride ourselves on being able to reach out and assist in such tragic circumstances.”