Sama Chhetri has devoted three decades of her career to teaching and is a well-known figure in the field of progressive education. She began her teaching journey at Brihaspati Vidya Sadan School and then moved on to Ratobangala School, where she continued to share her knowledge and experience. Later on, she took on a leadership role in the education sector at Premier School as the Vice Principal. She also worked as the Vice Principal at Livingstone Foundation School and Malpe Tree School in India. Currently, Sama serves as the Vice Principal at Kathmandu World School.

Sama Chhetri has devoted three decades of her career to teaching and is a well-known figure in the field of progressive education. She began her teaching journey at Brihaspati Vidya Sadan School and then moved on to Ratobangala School, where she continued to share her knowledge and experience. Later on, she took on a leadership role in the education sector at Premier School as the Vice Principal. She also worked as the Vice Principal at Livingstone Foundation School and Malpe Tree School in India. Currently, Sama serves as the Vice Principal at Kathmandu World School.

Throughout her teaching career, she has seen a significant shift in the way education is delivered in Nepal, with a focus on progressive learning methods. The trend of students going to India for their education has also decreased. She recently spoke with College Readers and shared her insights on the teaching and learning approaches followed by Kathmandu World School. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

In the present context, schools are adopting progressive teaching and learning methodologies. What does progressive teaching and learning pedagogy entail?

Teaching and learning can be progressive when the principles, theories, and practices of education are child-centered and experiential. This means that the students can set their own goals and make decisions. The keys to progressive education are constructivism, social constructivism, and socio-cultural theories. In this type of learning, the students take responsibility for their own learning and the teacher serves as a facilitator. The assigned task should be constructed by the students themselves based on their previous knowledge.

What is the main challenge in motivating students to take responsibility for their own learning?

For students to receive adequate guidance, it is crucial that teachers undergo comprehensive training. Presently, some people choose to become teachers as a last resort when they are unable to secure other forms of employment. It is essential for teachers to have confidence in their training and skills to effectively guide students towards progressive education. This is a significant challenge that we are facing in the current times.

You are currently serving as the Principal of Kathmandu World School. How has the school ensured student learning and progress?

We have frequent professional development sessions to train and support our teachers. We encourage self-learning and value teacher feedback to address any challenges they face. As a team, we work towards continuously improving our progressive learning approach.

Could you please elaborate on how you have integrated skills, values, and technologies with education at Kathmandu World School?

Thematic-based learning and project-based learning involve a broad range of skills. For example, when students are given the task of creating and maintaining an herb garden, they need to apply their scientific knowledge of plant growth, use their math skills for measuring, express their work through language, and most importantly, learn to work together as a team.

These days, schools often focus more on their reputation than on actual student development. If they truly aim to enhance their students' skills, what factors should they prioritize?

We used to take students to rice-planting events for entertainment purposes. However, I realized that it's important for students to know how the rice they consume every day is grown. Therefore, we assigned a project to grade 3 students to educate them about the materials required for planting rice. We took them for rice plantation and observation every week. After harvesting the rice, we prepared rice pudding and fed it to all our students. This process taught them patience. Our class 5 students celebrate Yomari Purnima, which helps them gain knowledge about day-to-day life.

What are the roles of parents and communities in enhancing the quality of education for students?

In today's world, parents are often very busy. Therefore, it is important to establish good collaboration between schools, parents, and students. Parents should understand that schools are on the same side as them, and they have a shared goal of ensuring the progress of the students. Since students come from diverse family backgrounds, regular parent-teacher meetings and seminars are essential at the beginning of each session. Our newsletter includes a separate column for parents, which includes feedback. Open channels of communication must be maintained with parents to ensure a successful collaboration between all parties.

How has Kathmandu World School ensured individual care of students, which is a crucial factor in progressive learning?

Every student has their own unique potential and learning capacity. It's important that we respect and acknowledge these differences. Some students may excel in language but struggle with math, while others may be talented in science but have difficulty with language. As educators, we strive to provide additional resources such as extra worksheets, classes, and individual counseling to help students strengthen their weaknesses and reach their full potential.

You have taught in India as well. What are your thoughts on the state of education in Nepal?

When compared to the past, there have been several improvements in the education sector. During recruitment interviews, it has been noticed that a majority of the candidates have undergone some form of training. Furthermore, the teaching sector has started offering better pay, which has resulted in more people joining the education field with additional qualifications.

There is an increasing trend of immigration these days, which could potentially lead to a shortage of teachers in the future. Consequently, the demand and value of teachers may rise significantly. What is your opinion on the qualifications that teachers should possess, and what do you think their future prospects look like?

Students can travel abroad to expand their knowledge, but it's important for them to return to Nepal and use that knowledge for the betterment of their country. Teachers have a promising future if they continue to learn throughout their lives. Education is a reflection of society, and it adapts to society's changing needs and demands. To stay relevant, teachers need to keep themselves up-to-date with current trends and technologies and use that knowledge for the benefit of their students. Patriotism is a crucial value that should be instilled in both teachers and students, especially in classroom discussions.

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

Parents should always make time for their children. I suggest that students actively participate inside the classroom and take responsibility for their own learning. Having a curiosity to learn new things is key. It's important to remember that schools and parents are partners, and we should work together for the betterment of our students.