FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS SAATHI TEACHERS PROGRAMME?

Saathi Teachers Programme is an educational initiative under Helambu Education and Livelihood Partnership (HELP) operating under the theme of ‘Primary Must Not Be Secondary'. It offers paired and paid placement for individuals seeking to teach Math or English at primary level in rural communities in order to help transform the educational experience of children. It is a two years of supervised programme to increase literacy and numeracy skills of students, with additional focus on fostering and developing 4C (Creativity, Critical thinking, Communication, and Collaboration) skills in students.

WHO IS A SAATHI TEACHER?

Saathi teachers are individuals with an eventual career plan in the teaching job or are passionate about making significant contributions in the Nepali public education system through two years of teaching placement at the primary level schools. They are mainly committed to improving the' numerical and literacy skills of the students with a focus on developing 4Cs (Creativity, Critical thinking, Communication, and Collaboration) of 21st-century skills in the primary classroom in a child-friendly way through applications of various extracurricular activities, the arts, and cultural activities.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN SAATHI TEACHER PROGRAMME?

Saathi Teacher Programme offers you a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on basic-level classrooms in rural public schools of Nepal while developing yourself professionally as a teacher and leader in the long term. Over the course of two years, we provide you with various resources, guidance, and training to help you grow in your role, along with regular support to enhance your impact in the classroom. Additionally, you'll have the chance to advance your professional skills, engage with the communities and the local government, and build valuable connections while contributing meaningfully to rural primary education in Nepal. The training starts with a minimum of 21 days of residential class called “Saathi School” which you must be able to sit through and complete before starting the placement. The Saathi Teachers Programme takes serious efforts to offer various training and accredited short courses in collaboration with our international partners based in the UK and the USA.

HOW LONG SHOULD I COMMIT?

You should commit full-time for absolute 2 years on a fixed-term contract. You cannot withdraw in the middle of the programme.

WHERE WILL MY PLACEMENT BE?

You will be placed in one of the basic schools of our partner rural municipalities in Sindhupalchowk or Tanahun districts. We are also currently making assessments to be able to expand the programme in other municipalities and districts.

WHAT SUBJECTS WILL I BE TEACHING?

You will be teaching English or Math from classes 1-5 in the placed schools. You may also have to do the grade teaching in regards to the context of the school.

WHAT WILL MY ACCOMMODATION BE LIKE?

You will be living in a community near your school. Ideally, you are placed at homes within the community where you are teaching. Your accommodation will most probably be on a sharing basis with your co-saathi unless otherwise. The school administration provides the accommodation at free of cost.

HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID?

Saathi teachers will be paid a total stipend of NRs.6,50,000/- in two years, along with a festival bonus equivalent to one month of stipend. This will be distributed as a monthly stipend of NRs.22,250/- and NRs.65,000/- as a security deposit fund after the completion of 2 years. In addition to this, we will also cover your medical and accidental insurance. You will also receive one time NRs.7500/- as a placement allowance and cover the cost of transport and food cost during your initial placement costs. We will also cover the nominal costs of travel and accommodation during the periodic meetings and training.

HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED DURING THE 2 YEARS?

You will be continuously supported by a dedicated Teachers Development Coordinator- one per municipality- throughout the two years. We conduct pre-service teacher’s training (21 days of residential training called Saathi School) and regular training and support throughout the year to help you grow as a transformative and progressive teacher. Embedded in the training, we are also adding a component so that you can learn to become and act as a community action researcher for critical inquiry and solutions so that it provides helpful support for your any future academic pursuits. During these two years, you will also get to network with many educators and leaders working to shape Nepal's education. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with the school administration and local government. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to participate in other workshops and programmes of HELP that will further contribute to your personal and professional development.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 2 YEARS?

After two years in the Saathi Teachers Programme, you will have a strong foundation in teaching, equipped with valuable skills and experiences through which you can now contribute to the larger educational ecosystem through more leadership roles. You will join our alumni forces and we will support your lifelong journey of being a transformative educator indirectly or directly through sharing of professional development opportunities. We also have some scholarship opportunities for our alumni to pursue their higher studies, such as King’s College Nepal and Anthony Lunch Memorial Scholarship so that they can further advance their academics.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I WITHDRAW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO YEARS PLACEMENT?

Saathi journey is a two years full-time absolute commitment which one has to complete. However, we understand that there might be some personal circumstances and challenges that could affect one’s ability to fulfill this commitment. In this context, if any one decides to withdraw their commitment for other reasons apart from health issues, the organization may seek for financial compensation for the loss incurred in recruiting, training, in paying stipend, supporting the Saathi teachers and finding the replacement in that situation.

WHO SUPPORTS THIS PROGRAMME?

Saathi Teachers Programme runs in partnership with our local governments, who pay for the stipend of the Saathi Teachers. All other programmatic and operational expenses of running the programme is covered by our funding partners Mondo Challenge Foundation, UK with some contribution from Interhands Norway.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE SAATHI TEACHERS PROGRAMME WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS AND THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES?

Saathi Teachers Programme is run in direct partnership with the local governments with whom we together select the schools most suitable for the placement of the Saathi teachers according to the needs. The local government co-funds the Saathi Teachers Programme in terms of covering the direct stipend of the Saathi teachers. Once the Saathi teachers are placed in the school, they work as an integral part of the school and follow the prevalent curriculum to teach in the classroom. The Saathi teachers will be accountable to their respective School Administration and the School Management Committee. Saathi Teachers will also report to the Education Department of the Rural Municipality through their respective Teachers Development Coordinator.

For any other questions, please email us on programme@saathiteachers.org