Saraswati Pathshala

A Primary School for Childrens

In April, 2007 TOIT start the most ambitious project to date; the beginning of our own school, 'Saraswati Pathshala' ! 'Saraswati' is the Hindu Goddess of Learning, Poetry, and Music, and 'Pathshala' means a place of growth and learning. We hope this school will be a source of guidance, growth, and inspiration to all that are exposed to it.

Vision

The vision for Saraswati Pathshala is twofold. First, to provide a high quality education for poor and vulnerable children in Bhaktapur. Second, to serve as an example to other schools, showing them what can be done with new ideas and progressive methods of education. The current education system in Nepal struggles to provide the most basic level of knowledge. Instruction and examination are strictly by rote and little emphasis is placed on comprehension or using the knowledge in daily life. There are students who have had five or more years in what are considered decent schools, but cannot carry on a simple conversation in English, the language they are taught in. Passing marks for term exams are often as low as 35% and still many students are failing.

Our initial mission, to provide for the education of poor students will now expand to raise the standards by which those children are educated.

The aim is not to replace other schools or to compete with them, we feel that what is needed are new ideas and an expanded vision of what education can give to the children of Nepal.

Objectives

• To provide a high quality education in basic subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and Nepali and English languages, stressing comprehension and practical use of skills learned.
• To teach in a child-centered way that encourages creativity and self-sufficiency.
• To offer an enriched curriculum including visual arts, Nepali and English literature, Music, Computer skills, Games and Sports.
• To include a small-scale farm and animal husbandry to teach vocational skills and respect for the Earth and its creatures.
• To involve children, parents, staff, volunteers, and community in a collaborative effort that includes social service, moral guidance, and respect for traditional culture in which they were brought up.
• To eventually provide a hostel facility for vulnerable children, who, without this intervention would be neglected.

Students

Our first class will consist of 20 children, between 6 to 8 years old. At this age, children are most at risk for child labor. Additionally, the child is developmentally ready to learn in the classroom setting. Preference will be given to children who have never attended school and those deemed most at risk. Through innovative, more playful ways of teaching, we hope to offer the best education possible. As with our scholarship program, we will fill our first class with 2/3 girls and 1/3 boys.

We also hope to eventually attract children of financially secure families on a paying basis to help bridge the gap between rich and poor in education and society.

Layout and architecture

To reduce the cost of land and have room for expansion, the school is built about two kilometers from the center of Bhaktapur. It has in an area of mixed farm-land, small businesses, and homes. It lies on a regular bus line with service to Bhaktapur and beyond. The school building followed traditional Nepalese style and its construction design is earthquake resistant. It will have electricity, water and sewer systems, telephone, Internet access and other materials needed for efficient management of the school.

The building, initially 2 floor, is constructed with a modular design so one and half additional floors can be added as we grow.

Conclusion

We believe the time has come for this school to be start and we are asking you to help us in this endeavor. We need donations for the some construction and school material cost and 20 more sponsors for the children of our first class. We have already found sponsors for the 40 children.

In addition, we need your ideas and expertise. We will begin with a core curriculum of basic and required courses used by the best current schools in Nepal but need help with curriculum design in all areas, especially in the Arts: Theatre, Dance, Music, Visual arts and Writing. The subjects will be provided as the mental capacity of the children.

A complete prospectus and financial outline of this project is available. Contact us at toit_org@ntc.net.np. With your support and that of other benevolent people; we will soon be able to give these kids brighter future.

Thanks in advance,
The members of TOIT and the kids of Bhaktapur