Instructional Alignment in Nepal Using the Surveys of Enacted Curriculum

The content coverage of the Integrated Curriculum (IC) for Nepali Language Arts and Reading is broad, but some topics, including foundational reading and writing skills, are emphasised more than others. The IC generally emphasises middle levels of cognitive demand. IC content is highly aligned across Grades 1-3. Grade 1 teachers cover IC topics more broadly, and typically at lower cognitive demand levels, than the curriculum prescribes. The Classroom-Based Early Grade Reading Assessment (CB-EGRA) focuses on a narrower set of skills than either the curriculum or instruction, and typically at higher cognitive demand levels. Student performance on the CB-EGRA is low, suggesting the need for greater support on specific topics and at more basic skill levels so students have a stronger foundation for future progress.