DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Introduction of Education
Development of a community and a nation as a whole depends upon its infrastructure. Infrastructure is considered as the pillar of development. Infrastructure refers to essential factors needed for development like education, health facilities, transport, communication, etc.
Who is responsible to develop these infrastructures? The simple answer is quality human resources that is quality human resources that are skilled and trained in their professions, like teachers, doctors, engineers, mechanic, lawyers, etc. what can provide such skilled human resources? Only education can provide such skilled quality human resources. Education can make citizens aware, conscious, intelligent, creative, responsible, independent and hard working. Such human qualities can utilize the means and resources of the country for development. Such quality human resources can bring about positive social changes and promote economic development of a country. The countries of the world are categorized into two groups: developed and developing, based on the level of development. The most important measuring rod for development is ‘Education’. Thus, the development of any country depends upon infrastructure like education.

HISTORY OF EDUCATION
In the earlier days there were no formal institutions like schools and colleges to impart education. Education was imparted in religious institutions like Ashram, Monastery, Church and Madarsa. Pupils learnt about the holy scripts, and religious rites and rituals from their teachers. The medium of education was Sanskrit.

Dawn of Modern Education
Junga Bahadur Rana initiated English education after his visit to the European countries. He established English school in 1910 BS at Thapathali only for his family. Later, the school was shifted to the western side of Ranipokhari by Prime Minister Bir Shumsher. It was named Durbar High School. Today, it is called Bhanubhakta Secondary School.

Balguru Khadananda was the pioneer to establish Sanskrit School at Dingla, Bhojpur in 1932 BS. Two years later, in 1934 BS, Ranodip Singh established another Sanskrit school in Kathmandu.

In 1958 BS, Prime Minister Dev Shumsher established about a hundred schools within and outside the Kathmandu valley. In 1975 BS, Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher established the first college in Kathmandu valley, in the name of the then King Tribhuvan and on his own name and called it Tri-Chandra College. His son-in-law, king of Bajhang, Jay Prithvi Bahadur Singh published various books for school children and civil servants.

The year 1990 BS is considered as a landmark in education in Nepal, with the establishment of the SLC Board.


DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN EDUCATION
The wave of education spread throughout the country with the advent of democracy in 2007 BS. The government and the people became more aware of the importance of education. At that time, the literacy rate of Nepal was about two percent only. The government formulated plans to educate people. Nowadays, the education sector is developing rapidly due to involvement of private sectors in imparting quality education.

Important Phases of Educational Development in Nepal:
1. 1910 BS : Establishment of Durbar High School
2. 1932 BS : Establishment of Sanskrit School at Dingla, Bhojpur
3. 1958 BS : Beginning of Language Schools
4. 1975 BS : Establishment of Tri-Chandra College
5. 1990 BS : Establishment of the SLC Board
6. 2028 BS : Implementation of National Education System Plan
7. 2038 BS : Curriculum Implementation Plan
8. 2049 BS : Report of National Education Commission
9. 2055 BS : Report of High level National Education Commission

Utility of Education
i. To gain Knowledge
ii. To gain skills
iii. To get better job
iv. To be able to change the society
v. To develop social awareness
vi. To have a good social status
vii. To help conserve the national and public properties
viii. To be a good citizen of a country
ix. To be able to make wise decision


No. of Primary Schools in Nepal ----------- 25,927
No. of Secondary Schools in Nepal ---------- 4,450
Source: Education Bulletin 2063


Example:
1. Dali’s Village
Dali Gurung is from Parsa VDC. There are three primary schools and one secondary school in her village. Many people have passed S.L.C from that school. A few are under S.L.C. Still they have taken some training and developed their skills. All are busy in her village. Some have returned after completing their higher education. They are qualified manpower working in schools, health post, post office, banks, industries and social services. People are very co-operative. They are united and work together to construct roads, to preserve public property and even clean the village. Every home has the facility of clean drinking water. People immediately go to health post if they become sick. Her village is alcohol free zone. So people do not take wine and quarrel with each other. Everybody is happy there. There is religious tolerance among people. People do not fight for the sake of religion. They respect each other. Her village is near the preservation of forest. They are very conscious about the forest. People say Dali’s village is just like a heaven.


2. Dilamaya’s Village
Dilamaya is from Bharta village. Her village is in the remote area of Nepal. Unfortunately, there is no school in her village. Most of the people are illiterate. A few are educated, but they live outside the village. Many people are unemployed and spend their time uselessly by drinking wine and gambling. They quite often quarrel with each other. They have no courtesy and good conduct. They always use vulgar words and are very unfriendly with outsiders. The whole village is full of solid waste. Because of the unhealthy environment, people often get sick. They do not like to visit doctors. They prefer to visit witch doctors. Children suffer from diarrhea and dysentery because of impure drinking water. There is a lack of co-operation among people. They fight with each other in the name of religion. Development work is also lagging behind due to the lack of education. People use the roadside and surrounding areas for toilet. There is no electricity in that village. People are below the poverty line. Production of crops is very low.