Text: Kareena Koirala
In a world where phrases like “holistic education” are stringed together only to be limited to brochures, Kathmandu World School begs to differ. From the moment you enter the school premises, there is an aura of curious energy that surrounds you. Noisy classrooms, keen kids running around, and courts that come alive with dunks as sprightly young players tear down the basketball rim with oomph… this is the constant energy of the school.
Upon readjusting the focus on the students, one can see that they aren’t your typical school kids. They have a mischievous gleam in their eyes, and yet they are grounded. They seem reckless as they lay on the grass and talk to their peers, but the views they hold about the world around them are truly profound. “Every student in KWS is nurtured in such a way that they can discover their greatest potential,” says the school Principal, Dr. Rajeev Chhetri. “We help them unleash their gifts and help them become a better version of themselves.”
Nestled in a green valley surrounded by hills in Surya Binayak, Gundu, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu World School boasts a worldclass infrastructure spread over seven acres of land. While the first phase of construction is complete, the rest of the project is expected to be fully constructed in the near future. In all its grandness, KWS seems like a place that could successfully facilitate conducive learning, all while allowing the students to explore and learn independently. Excerpts of an interview with the Principal.
What makes this location ideal for a school establishment?
When a group of the leading Nepalese educationists and entrepreneurs conceived an idea of establishing a semi-residential school a few years ago, they decided that the best location for it would be the outskirts of Kathmandu valley where the serene environment could facilitate quality learning. Every building in this school is purpose-built, so the designers had plenty of space to work around. This area is pollution-free and the kids have an abundance of space to play around the school. Also, since the fresh air and the greenery around the school are soothing.
What makes this school different from other residential schools in Nepal?
While many other schools still follow the traditional teaching-learning approach, we have a blend of traditional as well as progressive learning. We have the best of both worlds in terms of curriculum. The teachers at KWS supplement the national curriculum with international teaching-learning practices.
Currently, KWS boasts one of the best faculty team in Nepal. We have a rigorous hiring process. The teachers are required to have an ideal knowledge base and experience in order to qualify to be a part of our team. In the end, it all boils down to how good they are with teaching kids and actually making them understand the core concepts while simultaneously monitoring their growth.
Like many other progressive schools in Nepal, our classrooms are well-equipped with projectors and gadgets to aid visual learning. But what makes us different is that we let the children collaborate as they learn. We encourage them to talk to their friends about the things they learn in the classroom and there are a lot of discussion sessions every day. At KWS, one will never find a silent classroom where the teacher teaches and the students nod their heads without active participation. From early on, we instill the value of networking and communication in them so that they grow up to be strong individuals who can connect with everyone across the world.
When you say that you bring out the best in students, what measures do you take?
Many parents would be devastated if their child’s academic performance is not up to the par. Although many have come to understand that a child is not a failure if they are good at what they really want to pursue in life, most of us still believe that good grades are synonymous with a good future. It is true that getting good grades in school signifies that a child is smart and disciplined enough to memorise everything that has been taught in school, but they can truly grow only when they explore their true potential.
For instance, if a child is exceptional in basketball but lags behind in Math, we do not discourage them by saying that they are a bad student. Instead, we focus on what can be done to make learning easier for them. Even if they don’t ace their test at the end of the day, we still encourage them to follow their heart and become a better basketball player. That being said, we recognize the value of education and grades. So we try our very best to make learning a fun experience for them.
Tell us about the extra-curricular activities at KWS.
From the primary level, we lay the foundation for the kids and make them participate in every activity like music classes, sports, and physical exercises so that everybody learns a little of everything. After the fourth grade, we let them choose that they are really interested in and train them accordingly. Our infrastructure, including futsal ground, basketball court, music room, auditorium, art class, and swimming pool, allows the students to have plenty of choices.
Besides that, we have graphic designing and coding classes starting from the third grade. We have collaborated with an organisation called 3D Eye, and they use their tools to familiarise the kids with the basics of art and design.
How do you assess a child’s performance?
We do not have an examination system for kids before the fourth grade. Once the kids reach the fourth grade, they have a short unit test that helps them get into the habit of studying more seriously. During the early years, it’s more about learning, expressing, and participating in the classroom.
Do parents stay in the loop?
Communication with parents is our topmost priority. We maintain a sound relationship with the parents and regularly talk to them about their child’s performance and growth. We have individual digital messaging groups for all our classrooms.
What about their diet?
The students have three meals in the school: breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Since we are located on the outskirts of the city, there are many organic farms around the area. So, the entire school enjoys a wide selection of fresh vegetables and local produce here. We have options for both veg and non-veg selection. Since every kid has the same food in school, nobody feels left out or isolated. From the principal to the staff members, everybody eats the same food here.
The kids sure look relaxed and happy around here. KWS is a young school.
How has the response been so far?
I think the greatest achievement that we have so far is that students absolutely love coming to school. In fact, they hate it when the holiday arrives! So far, we have received positive feedback from the parents as well. Since the school is so young, we are always experimenting with different things. We have students coming in from different parts of the country here. So, all in all, the response has been pretty amazing.
