Challenges and Opportunities of Rural Education

On the occasion of 36th Education day and International Literacy Day 2015, USYC Nepal organized a discussion session with Mr Binod Shahi, Mr. Samden Sherpa, and Mr. Nawang Thora Sherpa about the challenges and opportunities of rural education system.

Samden Sherpa the first fellow of Teach for Nepal (TFN) and member of first cohort of USYC in his early years of youth dreamt of going to abroad to pursue his career as majority of the Nepali students dream to. Even after rigorous efforts he was rejected by U.S Embassy and the same rejection turned out to be a major turning point for him. He realized that his life was meant for his own people and started working for it.  After working in Ikkudol, Samden learnt that a teacher’s capacity, ideology and quality have a vital role on developing the children’s personality. He stated that though Nepal has developed in educational sector in terms of quantity it hasn’t developed in terms of quality. He believes that the major problem in rural education in Nepal is the lack of motivation among students and minimal participation of parents.

Nawang Thora Sherpa a TFN fellow and the member of USYC 2015 was raised by a single mother and his aunt and uncle. Keeping the fact in the mind that every single individual is not fortunate enough to have uncle and aunt like his, he started working in the education sector. At the initial of his teaching he conducted a diagnostic test and was shocked to see when the students of grade six couldn’t pass the curriculum of grade 2.  He amplified the lack of motivation and newness in teachers and the fact that the parents have no investment leads to lack of ownership causing the setback in rural education. Contradicting the point of Samden, Nawang believes that the teachers of government schools are qualitative but as the system of rewarding and punishment and proper monitoring is lacking the teachers are unable to function properly.

Binod Shahi a volunteer teacher in upper Dolpa has opened up a school with the aids of government and individual funds. According to him, the life of Dolpalis is similar to that of people in the Stone Age who do not have faint access to advancement and technology.  He highlighted that the people working in the government sector are benefitted from the problems rather than development. Thus, for individual development they do not allow the situation to flourish which is the main reason behind the backwardness of rural education. He believes that creative study is the utmost requirement in rural education so that they can utilize the local resources aiding to individual development as well as enhancement of the entire community.

After the guests shared their experiences the floor was opened for question and answer session. After a brief question and answer session the program came to an end at 4:30 p.m.