Our education system is often derided for its focus on rote-learning and for failing to promote hands-on learning or vital life skills. But by virtue of this same kind of learning, our education system also produces students with special expertise, in subjects that call for rigorous learning like mathematics, science, spelling and general knowledge. Maybe for that reason, Asian youngsters regularly top spelling and mathematics competitions organized abroad. Technical departments of many foreign universities are overflowing with Asian students, and eventually, Asian graduates in technical subjects like physics and IT are deemed very competent in the international market. But in Nepal, such kind of talent is rarely recognized, outside of regular academic report cards, and children gifted in a specific area may not even realize their talent until it is too late.
But all that is set to change soon. In February, Bloom Nepal held the first ever Mathematics Olympiad for high school students, and awarded the winners recently on April 14. The competition tested students on advanced mathematical capabilities. Even though international competitions of this kind were sporadically hosted by select Nepali institutions in the past, this was the first competition that invited students from all over Nepal to compete. It was held in centers all over the country, in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Pokhara, Butwal, Surkhet, Bharatpur and Dang, instead of just in the capital. Seven hundred students registered for the event, which the organizers believe is quite encouraging, given the fact that it was the first such competition. Bloom Nepal also hopes to eventually send winners to international competitions.
Such a competition bodes well for Nepali students, and will be helpful in honing their skills in specific subjects. Bloom Nepal has awarded the first three students with cash prizes of Rs. 50,000, 30,000, and 20,000 respectively. Research says that recognition, more than any other reward, motivates people to do better. Hence, recognizing their talents is bound to motivate students to pursue their desired area of expertise further. Besides, nurturing talent from young age will ultimately help students gain a high level of proficiency in their subject of interest, as well as giving a boost to their careers.
Because such competitions were unheard of in Nepal until recently, Nepali students, due to lack of basic training, have rarely participated in international competitions of this sort. If such competitions can motivate Nepali students to work on their talents, eventually they can also help students gain international exposure and prove their talent on wider forums, and open up new doors of opportunities in international education institutions. In fact, Nepal needs to have more such competitions in different fields in order to showcase the best products of its education system. We need to recognize and promote students who excel in fields like spelling, general knowledge and the sciences, of which there are aplenty in Nepal, and competitions of this sort are the best way to go about it. We wish Bloom Nepal the best in helping students attain their potential, and hope this competition inspires students and entrepreneurs alike to foster an environment of creativity and excellence in Nepal.
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