OLE Nepal’s Work to Make Learning Better in Nepal
Open Learning Exchange Nepal (OLE Nepal) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2007 to improve the quality of education in Nepal by integrating technology into classrooms. Based in Sanepa, Kathmandu, OLE Nepal has been working to make learning more accessible and engaging for children by providing free digital learning materials and creating innovative learning environments in schools across Nepal.
OLE Nepal’s Journey
OLE Nepal started its work in 2007 to improve education in Nepal using technology. In 2008, it signed agreements with the Department of Education, National Center for Educational Development, and Curriculum Development Center to begin promoting ICT in education. That same year, they also started working on E-Pustakalaya, a digital library for students and teachers.
In 2009, E-Pustakalaya went live, offering fun and interactive digital learning materials. They also helped schools set up internet access using custom relay and wireless technology.
In 2011, OLE Nepal launched the “One Laptop per Child” program in the Tanahun district and tested a basic school management system in the same schools.
By 2013, they began creating digital content in indigenous (local) languages to help more students learn in their mother tongue.
In 2019, they started making animated children’s stories and fun language games for young learners, available through Hamro Ramailo Kathmandu.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, OLE introduced home-based digital learning using tablets in six schools so that children could keep learning from home.
So far, OLE Nepal has reached over 400,000 students, trained more than 4,000 public school teachers, and deployed 1,000+ Raspberry Pi computers, 7,000+ low-power, durable laptops, and 1,700+ offline E-Pustakalaya servers across schools in Nepal.
Diverse Learning Platform by OLE Nepal – ePaath
ePaath is a free digital learning tool made by OLE Nepal. It has over 500 fun and interactive lessons designed to match Nepal’s school curriculum for students from Grade 1 to 8. The lessons cover different subjects and are available in both Nepali and English. For younger students (Grade 1 to 6), ePaath also includes lessons in Nepali Sign Language (NSL) to support students with hearing difficulties.
ePaath works on mobile phones, tablets, and computers through any web browser. It can be used online through OLE Nepal’s digital library, E-Pustakalaya, making it easy for students to learn from anywhere.
Hamro Ramailo Kathaharu (HRK)
Hamro Ramailo Kathaharu (HRK) is a fun learning platform made for young children. It includes animated local stories and simple language games that help kids build early reading skills, grow their imagination, and develop a love for reading.
The content is currently in Nepali, but it can be changed to any language. HRK uses sound, pictures, animations, and interactive activities to help children listen to stories, understand words and sentences, learn new vocabulary, form words from letters, and make sentences from words. Kids can also learn the alphabet, hear letter sounds, and get step-by-step help to write letters correctly.
ePustakalaya
E-Pustakalaya is a free digital library designed to support education by providing access to thousands of books, audiobooks, videos, images, and interactive learning tools. It can be used online or offline through a low-power server, making it ideal for schools with limited or no internet. The library includes content in Nepali, English, and other local languages like Newari, Tharu, and Tibetan, helping students learn in their own language. With over 9,000 books, 3,400 audiobooks, 1,800 videos, and content from more than 4,700 authors, E-Pustakalaya offers a wide range of educational resources for students and teachers across Nepal.
Sipalaya
Sipalaya is OLE Nepal’s newest learning platform, currently in prototype form, offering six math and science courses for students in grades 4 and 5. It focuses on helping children understand key concepts and build important skills. Sipalaya also lets students and their parents or guardians keep track of their learning progress easily.
Sanketik Sikai
Sanketik Sikai is a free learning platform created by OLE Nepal to help children aged 5 to 15 who are hearing impaired. It teaches the basics of Nepalese Sign Language using fun and interactive methods. The platform is easy for kids to use, with simple buttons and game-like features that make learning enjoyable. It includes sign demonstrations, quizzes, and levels to keep children engaged. While it’s not tied to specific school grades or textbooks, the lessons support the goals of Nepal’s national primary school curriculum.
Robotics
OLE Nepal trains students and teachers from public schools to build and program robots using easy-to-use robotics kits that include sensors and controllers. They use simple visual coding on affordable computers to make learning fun and accessible. The hands-on training and lessons are designed to help students think logically and creatively, build technical skills, and work well in teams. This program aims to prepare the next generation with important skills for a future where technology plays a big role, helping create a brighter and more inclusive Nepal.
Infrastructure support
OLE Nepal works to close the digital gap in rural schools by using new technology and open-source tools to bring digital learning to places without internet. They set up school networks with servers and Wi-Fi routers so students and teachers can access resources like E-Pustakalaya (digital library) and E-Paath. Using affordable, low-power devices like Raspberry Pi computers, they provide a wide range of learning materials including books, videos, and interactive lessons. This helps all students and teachers have equal chances to get quality education and build a brighter future for Nepal.
