Review and Way Forward (Learning for Change)
A review meeting among the teachers of three participating schools along with an education official of Panchpokhari rural municipality took place on 1st March, Friday.
The review and way forward meeting for the Learning for Change project in Panckpokhari took place on March 1, 2024. The meeting aimed to assess the progress of the project and discuss plans to address challenges and enhance the impact of the initiative. Key activities and findings from participating schools were presented and discussed.
Students have been actively involved in various activities related to rainfall data collection and recording. They have conducted data collection from multiple localities, developed rainfall charts, and displayed monthly reviews and analyses. Additionally, students participated in the Sikai Mela (learning fair) in Panchpokhari. However, the school faces challenges related to landslides in affected areas. Students expressed interest in new research areas such as waterfalls, day-to-day temperature, weather collection, creating weather bulletins, and utilizing tablets for research and study purposes. They also reported increased observations of insects, nearby flora, and fauna, such as the growth of moths.
Ms. Sarita Gautam from the Education Unit expressed her enthusiasm and support for the initiative. She conveyed her appreciation for the active involvement of students in various activities aimed at environmental education, mainly climate change. She highlighted the importance of such initiatives in promoting holistic learning experiences and nurturing responsible citizenship among students. She affirmed her commitment to continue supporting the project and emphasized the significance of integrating environmental education into the school curriculum. Her positive feedback underscores the value of the project in fostering meaningful engagement and learning opportunities for students, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Way Forward:
• Strengthen collaboration between schools and the community to address challenges related to climate change.
• Explore opportunities for additional funding and resource allocation to support project expansion and sustainability.
• Continue to engage students in diverse activities that promote climate and environmental awareness and contribute to community development.
• Organize regular meetings with stakeholders to assess progress, address challenges, and plan future activities effectively.
• Consider incorporating community feedback and priorities into project planning and implementation.
In conclusion, the review and way forward meeting provided valuable insights into the progress and challenges of the Learning for Change project in Panckpokhari. Moving forward, collaborative efforts and strategic planning will be essential to maximize the project’s impact and contribute to positive environmental and community outcomes.
Tashi Lama, with whom the CEEN team and education representative met separately provided valuable insights into community priorities and challenges. He mentioned that decisions regarding project expansion to all the schools and planning for the next year will be made after a headmasters’ meeting. Challenges highlighted included limited funds and the vast geographical area to cover. He emphasized that education remains the top priority, followed by health, agriculture, and tourism.
In the meantime, a special request has been made to Radio Melamchi, the local radio station, to air the students’ findings and research work, through interviews with teachers, students, and the education unit of the municipality. The radio will also announce the daily weather (temperature, humidity, and rainfall data) sent by the schools, for wider public awareness.
Prepared by: Navin Gurung
