Education in Terai; A Reality and the Need
Dhurba Shrestha
I find myself happy to let you know that I am working in Dhanusha and
Mahottari district since 2005. These districts are the districts where
the conflict is still common. I believe that education is the most
powerful tool to overcome such conflicts. I am also aware that the
process is long, time consuming and expensive.
But, is there anything expensive than a knowledge based society? Is
there any thing expansive than "The persuit of happiness" (The freedom
of life, liberty and individual).
Below is an article on Education in Teria; a reality and the need. Its
not only an article but a true account of what Terai faces. I hope
after reading this article, you will have a new insight and direction
about terai. Please let me know your feelings.
Education in Terai; a reality and the need
Last year (2064), the schools opened for only 93 days in Dhanusha. The
school opening day is 220 and teaching days is 180 days. A survey
conducted in the same year in 28 schools of Dhanusha, Mahottari and
Rautahat shows that head teachers hardly go to school. The report on
teacher absenteeism produced by Teacher Union Nepal clearly states
that teacher spent little hours in school.
During the 12 years long people's war, many private schools collapsed.
In Dhanusha everyday private schools receive threats from rebel groups
demanding donation. The frequent strikes and bandas from political
parties have greatly affected these institutions.
I read seven announcement of passport lost in Janakpur Today, the
daily newspaper from Janakpur on 29th and 30th July, 2008. This
announcement comes almost each day. This means large numbers of young
people are going abroad. Eight years back I read a drama called
"MALAMI" written by Sarubhakta for the first time. In the drama, all
young people leave village and go outside to earn. Only the old
people, female and children remain in the village. A man dies and
there is no body to carry that dead body in the funeral. Suddenly, the
dead body wakes up and walks towards the funeral. Other people follow
the dead body.
Above three statements justify that:
a) Public schools are being paralyzed
b) There is no additional investment in education from private
sector and
c) Education is not in the priority
The above mentioned problems give us a picture where the district is
going in coming 10 - 20 years. Where there is no education; there is
no culture, no civilization, and no rules and regulations. There will
be more conflict. The incidents of murder, terror, robbery will
increase and the society will loose its structure.
Education is the primary agent of transformation towards sustainable
development. It increases people’s capacities to transform their
visions into reality. Right education not only gives people skills, it
also provides the motivation, justification, and social support for
pursuing and applying such skills and harmonizes the society.
Education is prerequisite for sustainable development.
It’s a right time to address the problems because each moment is a
right time for a man who works.
The solutions to the problems are:
a) Strengthen public schools. Advocate that quality education is
possible in public school and ensure quality education in schools.
b) Promote private investment in education. Ensure that the
private schools are affordable and are in reach of poor people too.
c) Keep education in the first priority by an individual, local
bodies, and state.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Dhurba Shrestha
IFCD
It is nice having your email after quite some time. I always find your email
information interesting. This time again it is interesting to know lots of
things about you particularly what you think about education (in your
terms) of Nepal. View you have expressed is entirely yours however you have
asked our comment. Firstly, I think this is not a matter of asking comments.
I think you are asking comment on information or feelings that I think not
necessary. You said article but I do not see it as article--rather
information or mixed of lots of things including your philosophy of life.
Cases you have given and conclusion you have drawn is some way not matching.
I find it that way. Similarly, you have taken education subjectively and
tried to interpret information (lost of passport) is also education. In this
regard as you are based in grass-root level I would like to request to use
your intellect and energy to draw something really vital in terms of
providing information on law, policy, management, implementation, DEOs
efficiency, SMC role, best practices particularly in terms of quality
education etc, etc. I am very hopeful that you will provide sensational
information next time.
With Great Regards.
Prakash Singh Adhikari
Innovative Forum for Community Development (IFCD)
Pipal Bot Marg, Baneshwar Height (Behind Apex College) H# 209 (Kha)
PB# 4025 Kathmandu
Tel: 977-1-4467347 Ext: 104
Tel/Fax: 977-1-4484625
Internet email: prakas...@hotmail.com (in case)
Web: ifcd.org.np