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NATIONAL CONTRIBUTION REPORT
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Axiata Group Berhad | Sustainability & National Contribution Report 2016
Education
Education - Shaping the future of the nation
Education will play a crucial role in the
development of Nepal by fighting poverty,
creating more job opportunities and
facilitating economic growth.
Nepal was classified 145 among 188
countries in the 2015 United Nations
Human Development Index. Adult literacy
rate stood at 57.4% in 2015. The current
enrolment ratio of secondary and tertiary
education is quite low with the tertiary
enrolment ratio at 15.8% in 2014 (see
Figure 3).
Integrating ICT into Education Reform
The Government of Nepal enacted the ICT
in Education Master Plan in 2013 to address
the role of ICT in Nepal’s education reform.
The National Centre for Educational
Development (NCED) provides training
to teachers across the country through
National Radio while computer education
courses are offered in schools. The
Department of Education (DOE) has
developed interactive digital learning
materials in Nepali for the students
covering different subjects.
To facilitate the delivery of digital
education, Ncell established its digital
libraries project in partnership with
Help Nepal Network. The programme
also provided training to students and
teachers to increase computer literacy by
leveraging on ICT.
Ncell’s also supports schools through
its “Adopt a School” Programme,
implemented in partnership with Save the
Children, which works closely with Ministry
of Education and District Education
Offices. The programme has seen Ncell
help build education infrastructure and
outfit schools with facilities to enhance
student enrolment and develop more
conducive learning environments. It also
delivers initiatives to improve student
attendance and encourage students to
stay in school and continue their studies.
Agriculture
Agriculture is an important sector
supporting economic growth in Nepal. ICT
is used to enhance the supply of agricultural
products, improve farmers’ livelihoods
and reduce poverty. By providing high-
quality, cost effective and modern
telecommunications infrastructure, Ncell
helps connect farmers with both local
and global markets and boost economic
growth. The availability of accurate and
timely information, such as information
on agricultural technology, market prices,
demand changes, weather and low-cost
pest control, is helping farmers implement
best practices in their agricultural activities.
Agriculture is an important factor in
boosting the economy
The World Development Report 2008
recognised that agriculture is four times
more effective in driving GDP growth than
any other sector.
Agriculture is an important sector in Nepal.
In 2015, agriculture recorded a value add
of NPR623.6 billion and contributed 33%
of GDP (see Figure 4). It also provided for
66% of jobs in Nepal.
According to the WHO, 40% of Nepali
children under five have stunted growth,
29% are underweight, and 11% are
deemed to be “wasting”. To address these
long-term debilitating effects, one of the
priorities of the Government of Nepal is
ensuring safe and sufficient supply of food
for its citizens.
Figure 3: Enrolment Ratio by education level, 2005-2015
Primary enrolment ratio (%)
Pre-primary enrolment ratio (%)
Tertiary enrolment ratio (%)
Secondary enrolment ratio (%)
%
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
2012 2013 2014 2015
0
50
100
150
Source: The World Bank
NATIONAL CONTRIBUTION
REPORT