Gandaki government selects 11 community schools for STEAM labs

Kaski, Oct 6: The Gandaki Province government has selected 11 community schools to establish and operate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) laboratories.

The programme aims to make science and technology education more practical, experimental and technology-oriented at the secondary school level.

The Education Development Division under the Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports selected the schools by evaluating grant proposals submitted under the programme included in the current fiscal year.

According to Division Chief Ghanashyam Poudel, each selected school will receive Rs 400,000, with a total of Rs 4.4 million allocated for the programme.

Poudel said the laboratories would help students connect classroom learning in science and technology-related subjects with experiments and practical activities, while developing skills beyond theoretical knowledge.

The selected schools are Dhanubas Kalika Secondary School in Madi Rural Municipality-7, Kaski; Suryodaya Secondary School in Dharche Rural Municipality-5 and Tara Secondary School in Gorkha Municipality-10, Gorkha; Shiva Secondary School in Byas Municipality-10, Tanahun; Saraswati Sanskrit and General Secondary School in Hupsekot Rural Municipality-3; Kumarawati Secondary School in Gaindakot Municipality-3; Krishna Gandaki Secondary School in Dhodeni; and Suryajyoti Secondary School in Hupsekot Rural Municipality-9, Nawalpur.

Similarly, Purushodaya Secondary School in Barahkot, Baglung; Balmandir Secondary School in Kalipul, Myagdi; and Chandidanda Secondary School in Mattikhan, Syangja, have also been selected.

The schools will use the grants to purchase necessary equipment and materials and develop infrastructure required for the laboratories.

The provincial government expects the initiative to improve teaching and learning by providing students with greater opportunities for practical experiments and hands-on learning.