Laxman Ghimire is the Founder and Director of Cosmic International Academy. He has been working in education field for the last 25 years and is also an executive district committee member of HISSAN Kathmandu. Cosmic International Academy is a well-known educational institution that has achieved academic excellence in a short period. The school now has its land and buildings with modern infrastructure. Mr. Ghimire opines that the school provides a high standard of education at an affordable fee structure. In an interview with College Readers, he shared his insights on the facilities the school offers. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

Laxman Ghimire is the Founder and Director of Cosmic International Academy. He has been working in education field for the last 25 years and is also an executive district committee member of HISSAN Kathmandu.

Cosmic International Academy is a well-known educational institution that has achieved academic excellence in a short period. The school now has its land and buildings with modern infrastructure. Mr. Ghimire opines that the school provides a high standard of education at an affordable fee structure. In an interview with College Readers, he shared his insights on the facilities the school offers. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

How does Cosmic International Academy, a renowned Kathmandu Valley school, ensure its students thrive academically?

Cosmic International Academy, located in the Kathmandu Valley, is a well-known educational institution. We ensure student progress and learning by modernizing our teaching methods and incorporating technology into our curriculum. In every classroom, we have interactive panel boards that enhance the learning experience. We teach coding and robotics and have audio-visual classes to make learning more engaging. Our science labs are highly sophisticated and meet standard size requirements. We have art and culture clubs, additional English language classes with IELTS and PTE trainers, a math Olympiad club, and a fitness club that offers yoga and meditation. In terms of infrastructure development, we have elevators, water fountains, smart glasses, and modern furniture.

Our education system should not only teach knowledge, but also skills, attitudes, values, and technology. How have these attributes been integrated into your school?

We have designed a curriculum that emphasizes not only academic knowledge but also skills development, values education, and the integration of technology. To contextualize learning, we incorporate interdisciplinary projects and real-world applications. We are focusing on imparting both technical knowledge and practical knowledge like drawings, paintings, yoga, meditation, field visits, team projects, and mass performances. Our teaching approach is student-centered, and we implement inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, problem-based learning, and experiential learning. These approaches promote active engagement, collaboration, and the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

School should provide equal opportunities to students despite their different ways of understanding. How does your school cater to individual student needs?

At our institution, we place a high priority on providing personalized care to all our students. This is because we believe that individual attention helps us to identify the unique qualities of each student. We strive to evaluate our student's interests and abilities and encourage them to pursue their passions alongside their academic studies.

To achieve this, we conduct assessments to identify our students' areas of strengths and weaknesses. Based on this, we offer additional classes and resources to help them gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen fields. We aim to provide each student with a tailored learning experience that caters to their unique needs and interests.

How has Cosmic International Academy involved parents and the community in enhancing education quality for their students?

Students' progress depends on three main factors- parents, school, and teachers. We organize regular parent-teacher meetings and individual discussions to review the students’ progress reports. Our school has various social clubs to engage students in extracurricular activities. Additionally, we conduct educational tours for students where they can learn and explore new things. After returning from the tours, they give presentations about their visit to share their experience with others.

Could you please share your thoughts on the current challenges that the school education field is facing these days?

Every student is unique, possessing their own set of talents and abilities. It is important to recognize and nurture these talents to help students achieve their full potential. In doing so, we may be able to produce successful singers, poets, professors, and more from our student body. Unfortunately, the current education system often fails to identify and nurture these individual talents, instead emphasizing the pursuit of high grades and academic success. Students need to identify their interests and strengths so they may develop into well-rounded, educated individuals who can thrive on a global scale.

The shortage of quality educators in Nepal is becoming a challenge as skilled students are leaving the country to study abroad. This can hamper the overall quality of education in Nepal. To tackle this issue, we need to work together and improve the education system in Nepal. We must provide students with ample opportunities and resources so that they are encouraged to stay and contribute to the education system in Nepal. This will help us establish Nepal as an international education hub, providing quality education to students.

What message would you like to convey to parents and students?

I want to assure all the parents who have trusted our school with their children's studies that we are committed to keeping our promises. We are working hard to achieve the best possible outcomes and have no compromise on infrastructure, technology use, and education quality. I request students to work hard and be logical in their efforts, as simply pouring water on the sand all day has no benefit. We encourage students to be creative and energetic, and we are always here to support them in their academic pursuits.