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Fund
raising
Links with Scottish schools
Shree Karnadhar School, which is situated in Palpa, a district west of Kathmandu, performs a vital function in helping to develop what is essentially a farming community. The traditional life and customs of these Magur people is rigorously maintained but they also are aware that through education the younger generation can perpetuate their culture and at the same time develop heir communities.
After the excitement of the Golden Jubilee in 2005 Karnadhar School has had another good year with many developments taking place.
The really good bit of news is that the People’s War or Maoist Insurgency is over and Nepal is at last a peaceful country. In the countryside areas such as Rupse this is a huge relief as now people have freedom of movement, there are no more bandhas (strikes), no more demands for money, accommodation or food, and no further interruption to the school calendar
In Palpa District where the first Community Radio Station in SE Asia is situated “our” teacher Lokendra (see Home page) is developing a weekly correspondence English class to run for three years and aimed at classes 8, 9 and 10. This pilot programme, which is part sponsored by UNESCO and has targeted three schools, (Karnadhar is one of them) will be assessed and its success will be judged by the improved number of passes at School Leavers Certificate. English is not the only subject; maths and science lessons are also broadcast. The sponsors have donated a computer to each of the three schools so now Karnadhar have their very own computer, printer and small room to house it. One of the young teachers is attending a Basic Computing Course so hopefully soon some of the necessary skills will be passed on to the students.
Now that the insurgency is over the Village Development
Committees are again in receipt of budgeted money from the government so
have some of their own finances to spend. At Karnadhar they have constructed
a fresh drinking water tank with taps so all the pupils have easy access
to water. This is great and a really valuable addition to their facilities.
With monies that have donated and some of their own budget they are going to continue to plaster the classrooms, construct another room to house much needed but as yet un procured science equipment and library and make the compound fence they’ve wanted since a long time.
In 2006 we also constructed an iron balustrade on an open
balcony and steps including putting in a gate to both secure and make the
passage safe for teachers and pupils. The money for this enterprise came
from clients and staff of a Hair Dressing Salon in St Andrews, Fife. Mny
thanks is due to them.
Thanks are also due to a couple who visit from Perthshire and who besides
trekking in the mountains come to see Karnadhar School and bring money for
the ongoing projects. Their welcome from the school is fantastic as it would
be for any visitors from Europe.
One other success story is about scholarships. Some donated money was used to help pupils who were not in a position to pay the small fees asked for by the school for pupils above class 4. One such young student, Krishna, lives without parents but with a younger brother and sister on a farm holding. They care for themselves, tend their animals and regularly attend school. Krishna was the top pupil in class 8 and now is studying in class 9. The school allow him to attend extra tuition classes free of charge and hopefully he will remain at school to complete his School Leaver’s Certificate.
The link established between Karnadhar and
St Leonards School, St Andrews, is proving interesting with an exchange
of letters, photos, tape recordings and last year the visit of a member
of staff. There is also an interest amongst some seniors in becoming volunteer
teachers, which would be of huge benefit to both sets of students; the cultural
gulf is enormous, as are the differences in facilities. These two schools
are very much at the opposite ends of the spectrum but the pressures and
aspirations are identical when it comes to sitting their end of session
examinations.
From some of these contacts the school has received a consignment of books (they are desperate to set up a library) a battery cassette player, sports equipment and most recently funding for a sound system. For their many festivals and functions this last item has been long awaited as speeches, songs, debates and music form a large part of their celebrations.
The School Development Committee is extremely grateful for the finance raised in Britain and the teachers are excited by the developments made possible. The pupils are also very aware and appreciative of these contributions read Ramas letter.