Having spent more than 30 years in the education field, Kumar Thapa has been leading Brihaspati Vidya Sadan as the Principal for the past five years. Under his leadership, the School has continued to maintain a high standards of academic excellence and has received numerous awards and recognitions for its outstanding performance. He believes in better parent education to bring progressive education to success. He discussed his perspective on progressive education with College Readers. Excerpts:
You are advocating for progressive education in its true spirit. How should one understand what progressive education actually is?
Every child has a unique learning style, and it is crucial to recognize this uniqueness in order to execute the curriculum in the most effective way. While some children may be natural observers, others may be more attentive listeners. It is important to address each child’s learning style to ensure that he or she absorbs information in the most efficient way possible. The conventional belief that reading and listening are the only effective learning techniques is a fallacy. As someone who has worked with students of all levels, I can attest that this method is far from being effective. An inquiry-based approach that emphasizes community and collaborative learning is much more effective. Students learn best when they can ask questions, seek answers, and engage with others in the learning process. Project and activity-based learning are better ways to engage students and foster love of learning. This approach allows students to take ownership of their education and learn at their own pace. It also promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are essential skills for success in the real world.
Individual academic development is essential but it cannot be achieved in isolation. Collaboration is necessary for personal growth and progress. Progressive education, which emphasizes learning by doing with others, is an excellent approach to education. Students learn not only from their teachers but also from their peers. This approach fosters creativity, innovation and social skills, which are valuable assets in the workforce. An effective curriculum must recognize the diverse learning styles of students and cater to them accordingly. Individual academic development is essential but it must be achieved through collaboration with others.
Are activities designed to ensure learning-by-doing really reliable or they are just a dust in the parents’ eye?
Examinations have been a part of the education system for a very long time, and they serve as a tool to measure a student’s performance and knowledge in a particular subject. However, the administration of exams has often been flawed, with many instances of nepotism and unethical behavior coming in between. It is important that exams are conducted in a fair and proper manner to ensure that the results truly reflect the actual abilities of the students. One major issue in the education field is the prevalence of nepotism. Many students receive good scores not because of their own abilities but because of the influence of their parents and relatives. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed to ensure actual and uniform evaluation of the students. While exams can be an effective way to assess a student’s knowledge and understanding of a subject, they should be conducted in a respectful and safe manner. The environment in which exams are taken can greatly impact a student’s performance, and it is important that the students are able to take the exam without fear or distraction. The issue of nepotism needs to be tackled to ensure that students are assessed solely on their own abilities.
Progressive education is more expensive as compared to the general one. Can’t we work on it and make it cheaper?
The education system in Nepal has come under scrutiny due to the focus on appearances rather than substance. This is not only observed in restaurants but also in schools, where emphasis is placed on decorations and appearances rather than the quality of education provided. In some cases, the grandeur of a school can be overwhelming, and students may feel small in comparison. Private schools in Nepal are also subject to criticism. Although government schools are funded by the state, private schools charge exorbitant fees for even the most basic necessities like a tissue paper. It is important to remember that when it comes to children, we must take special care to ensure that their education is of the highest quality, and that the school environment is safe and nurturing. There is no doubt that the teachers are important members of the school community, but the non-teaching positions such as those of the drivers, receptionists, librarians, cooks, and cleaners are equally essential in ensuring the smooth operation of a school. These positions also need to be compensated fairly for their work.
In recent years, there has been a great focus on academic standards in schools. Some schools now have multiple counselors to help students with their emotional and mental wellbeing. While this is a positive development, it is important to ensure that these standards are not superficial and that they are implemented effectively. Overall, the education system in Nepal needs to shift its focus from appearances to the quality of education provided. It is crucial that schools prioritize the needs of students and create a nurturing environment that fosters learning and growth.
Parent education and the contribution of parents in progressive education are considered crucial in progressive education. Why are these aspects important?
Parents serve as their children’s first instructors and role models. The image of the parents is reflected in their children. They resemble their parents in many ways. Children imitate their parents’ conduct. Parents rarely think about what they do and fail to recognize how their behavior may affect kids their directly or indirectly. For instance, if they are always utilizing technology or are behaving violently toward one another, their children may imitate and become similarly indecent. Parents need to comprehend what their kids are interested in. They ought to be mindful of what their kids are hankering after. Sometimes it takes the child some time to rekindle his or her interest. Because it is not worthwhile and the child would undoubtedly fail in the field, parents should never place their children in situations where they must aggressively acquire knowledge. Children occasionally fails to pique their parents’ interest. Therefore, if you’re a parent and you want the best for your child, let the kid pursue his or her own interest. Parents have the mentality that their children should work on things where they are weak and have issues. You should ignore the possibility that they could improve the work they do well. We need to balance strictness and pampering. Parents should make an agreement on rules and regulations. Children always want harmony and understanding. Mutual understanding and cooperation is also very important in the family. It is better to conduct a meeting in a family too. In a meeting, we can discuss feelings rather than discussing work all the time. That is why parent education plays a very significant role. At the end of the day, parents should understand their children’s feelings and emotions.
