Anju Bhattarai is a well-known figure in the education field who is dedicated to providing education that instills knowledge, attitude, skills, culture, and technology. She currently serves as the Executive Director at Aksharaa School, a prestigious institution that aims to equip young minds with 21st-century skills and empower them to lead a generation of excellence. As a progressive educational institution, it values a curriculum that is based on ethical principles, providing an autonomous learning environment that adapts to new concepts, content, skills, and strategies.

Anju Bhattarai is a well-known figure in the education field who is dedicated to providing education that instills knowledge, attitude, skills, culture, and technology. She currently serves as the Executive Director at Aksharaa School, a prestigious institution that aims to equip young minds with 21st-century skills and empower them to lead a generation of excellence. As a progressive educational institution, it values a curriculum that is based on ethical principles, providing an autonomous learning environment that adapts to new concepts, content, skills, and strategies.

To provide education that is rooted in cultural tenets and values, Aksharaa School has included a Sanskrit book for classes 1 to 7 and "Bhagavad Geeta" for grades 8 and 9 in its curriculum. Ms. Bhattarai believes that such curriculums will help students to understand our traditions and culture. In an interview with College Readers on Progressive Education, she shared her insights on the benefits of value-based education. Excerpts from her interview:

The school's motto is "Education with Values." How successful are you in delivering education with that ethos?

People can learn values from home and society too. Values are various qualities that are refined, modified, and applicable to the self-development of a person. There are different definitions of values, but they can be broadly categorized into four types. Moral values include qualities such as integrity, honesty, and politeness. Social values include teamwork and collaboration, while cultural values include birth and death rituals and traditions. Universal values include respect, empathy, and compassion.

In today's generation, there is a lack of professionalism, and people often look for shortcuts to achieve success without putting in the necessary hard work. Therefore, it is essential to include rites in academics to provide students with morals, values, and skills along with knowledge. The teachings of the school are reflected in the students who pass out, and many of our students have been able to join renowned colleges and universities such as Harvard, MIT, and various top colleges in Nepal for doctorate and engineering degrees.

Every student possesses the quality of a lifetime learner, and to promote this, the school has included a Sanskrit book for classes 1 to 7 and "Bhagavad Geeta" for grades 8 and 9 in its curriculum. The school aims to find out the social essence and scientific reasons behind cultural rituals to help students understand our traditions and culture better. Alignment programs are also in place to help achieve the school's vision of producing globally competent and responsible citizens, with a mission to make our students adaptable, strive for academic excellence, and become lifetime learners.

What roles do parental and community engagement play in providing students with an education that ensures better performance?

Children spend a significant portion of their day in school, which makes schools a vital factor in a child's development. Schools must have visions and missions and establish partnerships, cooperation, and collaboration with parents and communities. Students from disciplined families are more likely to perform well in an educational environment, making it easy to monitor their progress. Government policies play a crucial role in shaping the community's involvement in education. During my recent visit to Finland, I observed that teachers, students, and school administrators trust each other and the government. However, if the government does not provide adequate support, we may face several challenges in providing quality education.

Nowadays, parents have high expectations for their children, and individual care is mandatory in the progressive model. What is the situation at Aksharaa School?

Every student possesses unique potential and abilities. Parents often desire a well-rounded development for their children, placing a burden of expectations on them. While in the past we enjoyed more freedom in our learning, nowadays students are influenced by parental expectations and school visions. In progressive model schools, the smaller student population allows for more individualized attention. One common error is attempting to turn our weaknesses into strengths, which is usually unattainable. Instead, we should focus on honing our existing strengths. Therefore, schools with fewer students could consider establishing clubs such as IT clubs, entrepreneur clubs, reading clubs, and music clubs to cultivate students' interests in various extracurricular activities.

When discussing the progressive model, rote learning remains crucial for board exams and competitive exams. How effective is it to combine rote learning with progressive learning?

We lack fully progressive model schools in Nepal. Memorization skills hold significance as well. A singular philosophical approach doesn't suffice in classrooms. In the Nepalese context, a fusion of these two methods proves crucial. At Aksharaa School, examining the test papers of 30 students reveals 30 distinct responses. The advantage of hands-on teaching is that students retain learned material for extended periods. We nurture students' creativity and critical thinking abilities. Both experiential and rote learning carry equal weight. Sports and social development also constitute education, albeit often overlooked. Only once we establish an educated and refined society can we wholly embrace the progressive model. Parents belong to the chalk-and-duster era, while students are part of the AI age, leading to a disparity in comprehension and conduct.

In the past, English was the main draw for private schools, but now the situation has changed. What challenges do you currently observe in private schools?

The English language is not a measure of quality education; it is simply a tool. Learning English does not entail abandoning Nepali. We face no obstacles if we execute our tasks efficiently. We adhere to the national curriculum and respect it. We are sincere in our efforts. Nowadays, teamwork, cooperation, leadership, innovation, spirituality, IT expertise, environmental appreciation, and student views on SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) objectives are evaluated. Parents also seek proficiency in Nepali language, skills, attitudes, and values in their children.

AI has a significant impact on the education sector currently, however, there is a concern that it may diminish students' creativity. What are your thoughts on this?

If we overlook technology, our students won't be able to compete globally. Yet, parents and schools must be mindful of restricting screen time and tech use for students. While students gain much knowledge from tech, they also encounter content beyond their years. Schools must prioritize cyber education and security. AI poses a threat as it lacks human emotions. Presently, the key factor in education is human emotion. AI presents both challenges and chances. Offering strong mentorship to children is vital to capitalize on AI opportunities.

As the executive director of Aksharaa School, what message would you like to convey to parents and students?

I urge parents to prioritize traditional and cultural values, engage with their children, instill responsibility early on, and avoid excessive affection that may impede their development. Students must not just demand rights but also be mindful of their duties. Show reverence to teachers, nurture curiosity, possess a thirst for knowledge, and inquire actively. Schools should integrate academics, abilities, and traditions to foster holistic student growth.