In a mission to ignite ambition and potential among students, Teach For Nepal successfully conducted our annual event, One Day in a Classroom, during January and February 2024. This initiative brought over 113 esteemed role models to 32 public schools across five districts in Nepal, where 70 Teach For Nepal Fellows currently educate nearly 9,000 students. The event resumed this year after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing renewed excitement to Fellows who had previously only heard of its impact.

For two months, classrooms in some of Nepal’s most remote regions were filled with stories of perseverance, success, and inspiration, shared by Members of Parliament, Senior Government Officials, CEOs, Artists, and other distinguished leaders. These role models didn’t just visit classrooms; they lived with students and their families, immersed themselves in the daily lives of these communities, and gained firsthand experience of the challenges and joys that define the educational journey in rural Nepal.

The event allowed these leaders to walk in the students' shoes—eating their meals, experiencing their educational environment, and learning about the motivations that drive both students and Teach For Nepal Fellows. For the 117 guests, including corporate partners, individual donors, board members, and members of the Alumni community, it was a day to give back, but also to receive invaluable insights into the realities of Nepal’s public education system.

The event was organized in five phases, beginning on January 5 in Dang, followed by Parsa on January 7, Dhanusha on January 13 and 14, Tanahun on January 28 and 29, and concluding in Sindhupalchowk on February 17 and 18. This year, guests from Kathmandu were taken to Dhanusha and Sindhupalchowk, where they were hosted by local families, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the community. In Parsa, Tanahun, and Dang, local community members and individuals from nearby cities participated, reinforcing the event's objective to connect guests with the current realities of community schools and the backgrounds of the students.

Local municipalities and rural municipalities played an active role in welcoming the guests and engaging them in meaningful discussions about the social, geographical, and economic contexts of the communities. School teams also provided orientation on the schools' and students' status, ensuring that the visitors could contribute meaningfully to the classes.

The impact of One Day in a Classroom was deeply felt by both students and guests. P.S. Niraula, one of the participants, reflected, "Being around students was great, and I picked up a lot of knowledge from them. Every child is different, unique, and special, and everyone can shine given the correct setting, which is what we have tried today! Additionally, I would want to take this time to express my gratitude to Teach For Nepal for bringing together experts from a variety of professions on one platform to create more chances for kids to develop and succeed!"

Similarly, Ayasha Shakya, a Taekwondo player, shared her experience: “I went there with an open textbook about life and career revolving around being an athlete. I was in awe when they shared their life’s aim and how they wanted to achieve something meaningful in life. The exposure to technology has made the students know it all. For me, this one day in a classroom experience was a lifetime moment. I wanted to be here always.”

Journalist Dil Bhusan Pathak echoed the sentiment, saying, “An absolutely gratifying moment for me. The students listened attentively and absorbed everything I shared about cyberbullying, internet security, and being a citizen journalist. While you are getting information from the internet world, make sure you are sharing your stories as well. I come to classrooms whenever Teach For Nepal calls, and I truly enjoy every moment with the students.”

Teach For Nepal's One Day in a Classroom initiative is grounded in the belief that "one day, one moment can change the life of a child." Since its inception, the campaign has brought hundreds of professionals from various fields into the classrooms of Teach For Nepal's placement schools in Sindhupalchowk, Tanahun, Dang and Parsa. Every year, educators, artists, entrepreneurs, health professionals, writers, scientists, social change-makers, government officials, and more join hands with Teach For Nepal to ensure that every child in Nepal receives a quality education.

This year, 113 professionals shared their stories, learnings, inspirations, and skills with students in classrooms across Nepal. Their presence and contributions not only inspired the students but also deepened their understanding of the diverse opportunities available to them, reinforcing their dreams and aspirations.

As One Day in a Classroom concluded for this year, it left behind a legacy of inspiration, connection, and hope—a testament to the power of stories in shaping the future of Nepal’s young minds.