TECSES assesses teacher training needs in Madhesh Province 

In February 2026, a team of TECSES experts visited educational institutions across Madhesh Province in southern Nepal. The team conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) with students, teachers, and school leaders, and observed classroom teaching in a range of subjects.  

During the visit, TECSES gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by teachers in Madhesh and identified teachers’ professional development needs. The planning and implementation of the data collection were carried out in close cooperation with staff from Madhesh University. Their strong local knowledge and expertise played a vital role in ensuring the success of the process. The Vice Chancellor of Madhesh University, Professor Dr. Deepak Bahadur Shakya, had an important role in advancing the initiative. He emphasized that high-quality teacher education is a crucial foundation for national development and long-term success.  

The TECSES team received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the institutions they visited. Teachers, students, and school leaders shared insightful and well-considered perspectives during both classroom observations and interviews. 

Initial observations indicate a strong need for improved access to ICT in teaching. There is also a clear demand for more practice-oriented pedagogical training. Teachers in Madhesh especially asked for teaching methods that work well in large classes with many students. 

The findings from Madhesh will be compiled into a comprehensive report to be completed later this spring. Based on the report’s recommendations, Madhesh University, supported by TECSES experts, will begin developing a new diploma course in teacher education. The program is designed to provide practical, high-quality training tailored specifically to the needs of Madhesh. 

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Vice Chancellor and team of Madhesh University, the Provincial Education Training Center, Education Development Directorate, Local Education Units, and teachers for their active collaboration in this important initiative.

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TECSES is a teacher education project in Nepal, supported by Finland and the European Union. We work to improve schools through teacher training and inclusion at the federal, provincial, and local levels of government, and Nepali universities.