SINDHULI, July 16: BRCRN (Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal) has recently introduced a conservation curriculum for secondary school students across three provinces. This specialized curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Forestry Studies of Tribhuvan University, was taught to students in grades 8, 9, and 10 in 21 schools located in Sindhuli, Sunsari, and Mahottari districts during May and June 2024. Each school involved 30 students in this initiative.
At Janjagriti Secondary School in Sindhuli, social education and science teachers alternated in delivering the course. The school ensured diverse representation by selecting students from various geographical areas. The curriculum, which focuses on the local environment, has sparked significant curiosity among students, according to the instructors.
Hariprasad Koirala, a Science teacher at Janajagriti Secondary School, remarked, “Students study local geography, flora and fauna, deforestation, floods, and landslides, which are all closely linked to their lives. For instance, one student recently missed school due to a flooded road. The course has piqued their interest in understanding and addressing these challenges.”
Gender mainstreaming in BRCRN: An example of female leadership
At Janajagriti Secondary School, selected students study this additional curriculum for two periods after regular classes on Friday afternoons. Topics include the Chure landscape, forest management, medicinal plants, wildlife, human-wildlife interactions, water resources, socio-economic conditions, land-use changes, soil erosion, climate change, sustainable forest management, and organic farming. The curriculum underscores the importance of sustainable natural resource management.
Students have shown a clear understanding of these lessons. “There used to be extensive forest cover in the Chure area. Now, encroachment has negatively impacted the forest. We are learning how to conserve this land,” says Sangeeta Hayu, a student at Janajagriti Secondary School.
This curriculum aligns with BRCRN’s objective of raising awareness about Chure conservation. “The essence of this course is the sustainable management of natural resources in this area. We hope students will embrace this message and engage in conservation efforts with their families and communities,” says Ram Balak Yadav, Bagmati Province Coordinator of the project.
The course has inspired students to take action. “Many trees are being cut down for firewood in the Chure area, but life depends on trees. I’ve learned that protecting trees is crucial,” says Omprakash Chaudhary, a student at Namuna Secondary School, Ladabhir. “I want to make my career in this sector.”
“This curriculum is linked with the students’ daily life, making it practical and beneficial beyond academics,” says Purushottam Pahadi, vice principal of Janajagriti Secondary School.
