Nepal faces significant social and economic challenges, including gender inequality, environmental problems, a culture of lateness, skill deficiencies among youth, and unstable economic growth. While the National Education Policy envisions an educated and prosperous nation, the current education system hasn't effectively addressed these diverse issues.
Traditionally, prioritising academic subjects like mathematics, science, and English is seen as insufficient for preparing young people for a global economy and life. Drawing inspiration from educational approaches that integrate non-academic programs, such as those in Japanese schools, is proposed as a vital strategy for fostering human capital and driving social and economic progress.
This blog post outlines key habits that schools can instill in students, offering practical steps for transformation.
Building a Foundation of Respect
Gender-related issues, encompassing harassment and violence, remain a pressing concern in Nepal, with alarming statistics on reported cases. Despite some progress in political representation for women, they continue to face limited space in society and the economy, and harassment is reportedly increasing. Even teachers have been accused of sexual harassment.
Poor school infrastructure, like narrow hallways and inadequate sanitation, can exacerbate these problems. Educating students about gender from an early age is critical, moving beyond the traditional separation of genders in classrooms.
School discussions challenging old-fashioned gender role ideas have shown positive results elsewhere, leading to more supportive attitudes towards treating genders equally. Physical education can also play a role in improving social attitudes.
School Call to Actions:
- Revise seating arrangements to integrate boys and girls in alternating rows or seats, fostering mutual understanding and awareness from an early age. Consider this approach also for mixing students from different castes to challenge the culture of untouchability.
- Organize workshops for students to create anti-bullying slogan banners, which will be prominently displayed within the school to promote a safe environment.
- Partner with NGOs and local police to deliver lectures educating students on fundamental laws (constitution), the adverse effects of bullying, child marriage, unplanned births, and drug use.
- Make physical education (PE) compulsory at the school level. PE can enhance cognitive abilities and academic performance and potentially help change social attitudes regarding gender inequality. Promote team sports clubs.
- Prioritise the improvement of school infrastructure, ensuring adequate space, proper toilets, and hand-washing facilities. This not only improves hygiene but can positively impact girls' attendance.
Nurturing Care for Our Planet
While environmental knowledge is part of the curriculum in Nepalese schools, practical insights needed to foster pro-environmental behaviours are often lacking, contributing to issues like widespread unmanaged garbage. Community-level interventions have had limited or short-term impact. A more sustainable approach involves systematic training at schools, as routine educational programs are considered a pivotal strategy.
Japanese schools, for instance, incorporate compulsory school cleaning activities into their daily routine, contributing to Japan's reputation for cleanliness.
School Call to Actions:
- Integrate a practical waste management system directly into the "Environmental Education" subject.
- Implement regular garbage collection activities involving educators and students on school premises and in the surrounding community (e.g., for at least two hours each month).
- Teach and practice garbage separation, requiring students to categorise waste into distinct types like organic, paper, plastics, etc..
- Adopt student-led school cleaning as a routine practice, assigning groups of students to clean different areas of the school.
The Value of Being On Time
A prevalent culture of lateness is observed across various sectors in Nepal, including personal appointments, public services, and national projects. This tardiness is argued to significantly impede economic growth and development. The intellectual abilities, rather than just schooling duration, are strongly correlated with personal income and economic advancement.
Japan provides a contrasting example where punctuality is deeply rooted culturally and fostered through education, starting early. The timeliness of educators is highlighted as bearing considerable significance, influencing students' motivation and engagement.
School Call to Actions:
- Ensure clocks are installed in all classrooms, at the main gate, and near playgrounds as a fundamental requirement to make time visible and important.
- Prioritise and model punctuality among educators, promoting wearing wristwatches as an essential dress code. Teachers arriving before the bell and apologising for being late, even by seconds, set an important example.
- Utilise timers to manage class activities efficiently, teaching students the value of effective time management.
Practical Skills for Daily Life and Future Success
Many Nepalese youth lack the practical skills needed to thrive in the global economy or successfully participate in the job market, despite schools traditionally focusing on academic subjects. This contributes to high youth unemployment and drives migration.
In Japan, home economics ('Kateika') is a compulsory subject for students aged 11-15, teaching essential life skills from cooking and sewing to financial planning. Japanese schools also foster a work culture through 'career days', connecting students with society and preparing them for future careers.
School Call to Actions:
- Integrate practical life skills training into the school curriculum. Teach students basic skills like cooking simple local dishes, growing vegetables, making simple crafts, and assembling furniture.
- Schedule specific "career days" within the school calendar to expose students to various professions and the importance of work.
- Arrange opportunities for students to gain hands-on work experience by collaborating with local businesses, agricultural firms, hotels, or restaurants.
Fueling Learning with Healthy Meals
School meal programs are crucial as students with empty stomachs learn poorly; they support health, physical strength, and learning abilities. While Nepal has a School Meal Program benefiting many children, concerns exist about the quality of food provided under the current cash-based system. Many students consume unhealthy snacks during breaks. A comprehensive approach is needed to ensure healthy meals are provided.
School Call to Actions:
- Advocate for and implement a comprehensive school meal program that ensures the systematic supply of healthy, locally produced meals, moving beyond a purely cash-based system.
- Establish connections with local farmers and the agricultural sector to source food for school meals, providing a reliable market for local produce (e.g., chickpeas, beaten rice, fruits, vegetables) and addressing student nutrition.
- Plan for the establishment of well-equipped school kitchens and the recruitment of trained culinary staff to manage and provide high-quality meals consistently.
Conclusion
Reforming Nepal's school-level educational programs to include these comprehensive non-academic interventions is crucial for transforming the nation. While changing social behaviour takes time and requires sustained effort and community engagement, these initiatives focusing on mutual respect, environmental care, punctuality, practical skills, and healthy eating are strategic investments.
Implementing these programs requires significant political will, dedication of resources, and collaboration among policymakers, educators, and politicians. Enhancing the education system in this way is imperative for addressing socioeconomic challenges and paving the way for positive development.
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