There are still instances of children leaving their education midway due to economic reasons in rural Nepal. However, pre-diploma veterinary students of Saraswati Secondary School in Ward No. 8 of Rishing Rural Municipality of Tanahun district are making an earning with their knowledge to pay their school fees.
Established as an honour to martyr Saraswati Krishna Shrestha, the Saraswati Secondary School (SSS) provides an 18-month pre-diploma course in animal health to produce Animal Health Junior Technical Assistant (JTA).
Since the majority of the locals are involved in agriculture and animal husbandry, the school decided to start the course.
There are currently 17 students pursuing the course.
According to the school administration and the students, aspiring veterinarians utilise their knowledge to make an earning and support their school education.
“I learn a lot in school. I utilise the knowledge to help others as well as my family members who are involved in the same field. It has aided in the qualitative and quantitative production of the produce. The earning has allowed me to afford education and buy necessary stationery by myself,” said Rachana Ale, a student.
Rishiram Thapa, another student in the pre-diploma course, also said that he was happy to use the knowledge practically. “The earning from the activities is a great motivation to continue improving our capabilities by learning more,” Thapa added.
The students spend around five hours, from 6:30 am to 11 am, daily in the school where they get involved in regular classes and practical activities.
The school has its own farm where chickens, calves and goats are reared. Currently, the farm has 400 broiler chickens, two he-buffaloes and two goats.
“The animals are taken care of by the students which helps them with practical knowledge. It also allows them to implement theoretical knowledge in the field,” said Sanjay Shrestha, a teacher at the school.
“Moreover, the students also conduct awareness campaigns in the local communities and treat ailing cattle for free,” Shrestha added.
The school administration informed that the local farmers were happy with the students’ activities.
“The school spends on the operation of the farm. However, the profit from the farm is provided to the students for their hard work. It helps them support their education at least,” said Dan Bahadur Shrestha, chairman of the school’s management committee.
“The students earn around Rs. 10,000 each in a season. Also, they gain more experience by working in the field,” said chairman Shrestha.
The passing of knowledge on modern farming methods to the farmers by the students has also helped increase yields allowing local farmers to make more profit.
“If education is connected with earning through practical activities, it will assist children in various ways and help generate more quality manpower,” said Shrestha.
“The pre-diploma course has helped the locality as the main profession here is animal husbandry. The students are learning to become independent and motivating the elders as well,” said Bishnu Prasad Baral, headmaster of the school.
Citing that the pre-diploma course was beneficial, Rishing Rural Municipality has been paying the salaries of the teachers.
“The rural municipality plans to provide more support to the school with an aim to produce more quality manpower,” said Rajendra Krsihna Shrestha, chairman of Rishing Rural Municipality.
– The Rising Nepal
