For two decades, I've carried a singular vision: a day when Nepali children, unburdened by textbooks, could delve into the vibrant world of practical skills, creativity, and self-discovery. A vision born in the nascent school gardens of Tanahu, often met with polite nods but little action. Today, as Kathmandu Metropolitan City embraces 'Book Free Friday' – a dedicated day for hands-on, experiential learning – it is more than just a policy; it is the thrilling realization of a dream that promises to truly empower our next generation.
Our traditional academic system, for too long, has felt like teaching fish to climb trees – prioritizing rote memorization over nurturing individual talents. It has often produced graduates whose academic certificates do not align with the practical demands of the job market, leading to frustration, underemployment, and a concerning exodus of our youth abroad. 'Book Free Friday' is a vital corrective, a bold step by Mayor Balen Shah to foster "skills to meet household needs" and, in his words, a return to the principles of "ancient Gurukul education," where holistic development was paramount.
This groundbreaking initiative, which started as a pilot, has now expanded to grades 4–12. Younger students (grades 4–8) engage in 15 categories of creative learning, while older ones (grades 9–12) choose from 10 practical skill-based courses ranging from urban farming and cosmetology to crucial fields like electrical wiring, plumbing, and mobile/electronics repair.
My own journey with this idea began some twenty years ago in Tanahu. I witnessed firsthand the profound disconnect in our schools – children brilliant in their own ways, yet stifled by a system that only valued academic prowess. My school gardening program, a small, independent effort, aimed to provide hands-on engagement, hoping to cultivate not just plants, but also practical skills and a love for working with one's hands. Back then, the prevailing mindset was fixed on traditional learning, and my calls for such integration largely went unheard. It was a time when the soil was not yet fertile for such a radical shift.
Hamro Kitab: For the book-loving society
Today, that soil is ready. The impact of 'Book Free Friday' is already palpable. Students across Kathmandu are reportedly "elated," "happier," and notably "more regular" on Fridays. The shift has created a friendlier, more motivating atmosphere, particularly benefiting those who might struggle with conventional academics. But the ripple effect extends beyond students. For teachers, long accustomed to traditional methodologies, 'Book Free Friday' has become an unexpected professional development opportunity.
They are learning to facilitate rather than simply lecture, discovering new ways to engage students, and finding immense satisfaction in guiding hands-on exploration. As educators like Sita Bhusal from Gyanodaya Secondary School have noted, this initiative is a "great way to inspire students to follow their passion," a sentiment teachers themselves seem to embrace. The program allows them to grow their skills without the inhibition or shame often associated with formal training programs, turning supervision into an organic learning experience for both educators and pupils. A little nudge in this new direction is indeed doing wonders.
Consider the powerful story of 17-year-old Subash Ghimire. After participating in mobile repair training on a 'Book Free Friday,' he expressed finding "hope and confidence" that he "doesn't need to go abroad to earn." This is not just an anecdote; it is a direct, potent challenge to Nepal's crippling brain drain, addressing the urgent national need for skilled local talent.
The initiative's breadth is impressive. Just this past May, the Project Sarangi partnership began offering free traditional folk music classes (sarangi, basuri, madal) to over 2,500 students in 50 government schools, celebrating our rich cultural heritage. Furthermore, KMC is investing in smart board installations in community schools, promoting project-based learning and interactive reviews, and strengthening the 'Book Free Friday' program by encouraging creativity and critical thinking with modern tools.
This educational awakening is not confined to the capital. Across Nepal, similar philosophies are taking root. In Beni Municipality, the "We Can, We Do" initiative offers skill-based training in mushroom farming, plumbing, and haircutting. The Sainamaina Parameshwar Model Secondary School in Rupandehi is empowering students through traditional music. Such diverse, localized efforts, often highlighted in forums like the recent Skill Fair 2025 in Kathmandu, demonstrate a growing national understanding that effective education must prepare students not just for exams, but for life. This crucial shift aligns with broader national discussions on TVET reform and the urgent need for practical skills to combat outward migration, a point recently reiterated by Minister Deepak Khadka in Khandbari.
Of course, transforming an entire educational paradigm is not without its hurdles. Early concerns about infrastructure, lack of dedicated labs, and teacher training were valid. Crucially, a significant challenge has been parental misunderstanding; some have mistakenly viewed a 'book-free' day as a 'no-learning' day, affecting attendance, as principals from schools like Durbar High have noted. This underscores the vital need for sustained communication and community engagement to ensure the initiative’s universal understanding and support.
Yet, as someone who has championed this vision for two decades, seeing 'Book Free Friday' flourish is immensely validating. It is a testament to the enduring power of an idea whose time has truly come – an idea that promises to cultivate not just academically proficient students, but a generation of skilled, confident, and rooted Nepali citizens, ready to build a brighter future for themselves and our nation, right here at home.
The author is an educator. She has written several children’s books. She has written for children and on parenting issues for Republica for the past 10 years. You can access her writings at: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/author/1042/usha-pokharel.
