KATHMANDU, AUGUST 23 The KOICA-funded INSPIRE project, aimed at promoting digital learning, practical skills and inclusive education in Madhesh Province, has completed its first year of implementation. Save the Children Nepal, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), marked the first anniversary of the five-year project at an event in Kathmandu titled 'INSPIRE: One Year of Learning, Partnership, and Progress'. The project is being implemented across five municipalities: Devtal and Karaiyamai rural municipalities, Mahagadhimai Municipality in Bara, and Aurahi and Loharpatti municipalities in Mahottari. In Bara, students are being introduced to technology through Tech Labs and Maker Spaces, where they learn to use drones for agricultural monitoring and 3D printers to develop prototypes. In Mahottari, the project is helping parents and caregivers support children's learning at home. INSPIRE has established Tech Labs and Maker Spaces in seven secondary schools in Bara, equipped with computers, smart boards, power backup systems and electronic materials. The facilities allow students to design, build, test and develop practical projects. The project also covers teacher training, remedial learning, home-learning support, attendance systems, bursary assistance and vocational skills pathways for adolescents and young people. Tara Chettry, country director of Save the Children Nepal and Bhutan, said the project had demonstrated the potential of bringing children, teachers, parents, communities, municipalities and development partners together. She said the Maker Spaces were not merely technology-equipped rooms but places where children could experiment, make mistakes, solve problems and learn through practical experience. Shankar Prasad Adhikari, under secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, said education transformation required investment at the foundational level and collaboration among all three tiers of government and education partners. Mahagadhimai Mayor Upendra Prasad Yadav said introducing technology and practical skills in public schools had created both hope and greater responsibility for local governments. KOICA Nepal Country Director Mooheon Kong said INSPIRE was KOICA's first strategic civil society partnership project in Nepal and brought together quality education, digital transformation and youth job readiness. Save the Children Korea Board Chair Joon Oh said the project was also helping young people prepare for the transition from school to work by strengthening access to vocational and digital skills linked to local opportunities. The project's next phase will focus on addressing barriers related to poverty, learning loss, inadequate school facilities, unequal access to technology and climate-related disruptions. It will also place greater emphasis on experiential learning, teacher support, local government ownership and stronger links between education, digital skills and future opportunities.