Sometimes it is with a joke, sometimes a song or a poem. This is a scene from Nawalparasi District, Kumarbasti’s Saraswati Higher Secondary School’s class Nursery.[break]
The number of students attending government schools in many villages in Nepal is declining. With private schools in villages offering English language and many others facilities to the students, the attraction of government schools is diminishing.
Hence, schools in Agyauli area, Nawalparasi, have opted for English as the main language. The schools have also started adding facilities for the students. Saraswati happens to be one of the many schools.
Some time ago, more than a thousand students were enrolled in the school. There was lack of space in the classroom, but with a new private school opening up nearby, the number of students has been declining.
The classroom, which was full of students once, slowly started emptying out. The school had to switch to English because of this problem, says Kasiram Pathak, principal of the school. Though our studies are better compared to private schools, the students are interested in English language and so we decided to teach in English too.
“We started giving lessons only to those who had good English,” shares Pathak. The school started teaching in English from nursery level. According to Pathak, it was initially difficult for both teachers and students to adapt to English medium of teaching.
Students, like fourth-grader Shirisa Kafle, who had quit to join a local private school returned to the school. “My mother told me that I could study anywhere and since this school has started teaching in English, I came back,” she shares. She says that she likes schooling at Saraswati more than the private school she attended.
Similar to the private schools in the area, Saraswati has also collected study materials for classrooms which have attracted a lot of students. The school fees are cheaper than that of private schools as it isn’t charging extra fee for using recreational materials in the classrooms.
Dilliram Neupane, a teacher, says that this has attracted a lot of primary level students. “Previously, students were only supposed to study. The mentality has changed with time,” he says, “We are using various interactive study materials to make teaching effective.”
Students from government schools in Agyauli area of Nawalparasi. The government schools in this area have adopted English as their medium of teaching to increase enrollment. (Republica)
Janata Secondary School of Sahid Nagar, Dandabazaar has also started teaching in English. They are charging less and are also providing transportation facilities to the students. According to principal Megh Basnet, this provision has made it convenient for students to study in government schools.
“Private schools charge more. Hhere, we are providing better facilities at a cheaper price,” informs Basnet, adding, “It has become compulsory to include these facilities in schools these days.”
The number of students in government schools of the region has significantly increased with these provisions and facilities. Basnet says that it has made teachers enthusiastic and classrooms interesting. “We are excited that we have been able to provide as much facilities as private schools, even with low fees,” shares Basnet.
Related story
Pak embassy organizes poetry symposium — Aalmi Mushaira: Urdu,...
