Dr. Dhruba Bhattarai, the Founder and Director of KMC School, brings a wealth of wisdom cultivated over more than three decades in the academic realm. Holding a Ph.D. in Economics, he has graciously shared insights through various engagements on matters of economic significance. He ardently advocates for the enrichment of parental engagement to further the evolution of progressive schooling. Dr. Bhattarai has eloquently articulated his vision for progressive education and the enriching experiences within his institutions, acknowledged with the Best School Award by the Government of Bagmati Province.

Progressive education is an interesting approach to learning. Can you explain what it means to understand progressive education in its true form?

Progressive education is gaining momentum in Nepal, promoting active, engaging, and relevant learning experiences for students. This approach encourages critical thinking, fostering creativity in problem-solving, collaboration, and embracing diverse perspectives. Emphasizing hands-on learning through projects, community involvement, and real-world applications, it aims to cultivate well-rounded individuals prepared to positively contribute to Nepali society. In a context where rote memorization prevails, progressive education offers a refreshing alternative. Though challenges such as resource constraints and large class sizes may arise, educators can innovate and adapt these methods to suit Nepal's unique circumstances, ensuring meaningful educational experiences for all students.

Progressive education offers many benefits, but some people are concerned about the cost. How can we make progressive education approaches more accessible and affordable for families in Nepal?

The government's focus should be on empowering citizens for economic engagement and securing funding for essential requirements such as food, healthcare, education, and safety. Enhancing purchasing ability will render education more accessible for households. In the Netherlands, parents provide school fee receipts to the government, streamlining financial administration. Nevertheless, Nepal's dismal pass rates in government schools, with only 6 out of 100 students succeeding, point to issues such as poor management, insufficient resources, and ineffective teaching methods. Consequently, parents are drawn towards costly private schools. If government-run institutions address these challenges, the need for private schools may diminish.

 The traditional view of education focused on knowledge transmission. Today, however, many believe it's crucial to equip students with practical skills, a positive learning mindset, the ability to innovate, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world situations.  Can you tell me how your school incorporates these evolving educational needs into its curriculum and student experience?

Absolutely, we set high standards for our students, reflecting the desire for a top-notch education. To deliver this, we've equipped our institute with advanced labs (computer, science, language, audio-visual) for hands-on learning. Putting theory into practice leads to stronger results.

We're embracing a progressive approach and seeing positive outcomes. Our goal is to show KMC families the positive impact on their children's learning and behavior. This progressive model empowers students to apply knowledge in real-life situations.

KMC prioritizes a holistic education, where students grasp both theoretical concepts and practical applications. This equips them to tackle academic, personal, and social challenges with skill.  We've moved away from traditional exams and focus on ongoing assessment that reflects classroom participation.  This, along with observing overall behavior and academic performance, provides a more comprehensive picture of student development. Ultimately, we aim to prepare students to thrive in a globalized world. We anticipate significant positive changes within the next three years.

Can you tell me how your implementation of progressive education differs from the approaches taken by other schools?  What makes your program distinctive?

Our school goes beyond traditional lectures. We focus on instilling valuable skills, discipline, and practical knowledge. Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities is a key part of this, and it contributes to our students' impressive achievements. Additionally, we take pride in offering a high-quality education at an accessible cost, setting us apart from other institutions.

Weaving soft skills development into the curriculum is another strength. We offer courses in communication, discussion, and confidence-building alongside research-based activities. Students learn to present themselves effectively, tackle problems creatively, and receive constructive feedback. This equips them to navigate complex situations and become agents of positive change.

Have we conducted any surveys with students or alumni to gauge their confidence and experience working or interacting in diverse global settings?

The strong performance of students in engineering, IT, and medical fields is certainly impressive.  Similarly, the increasing number of students receiving international scholarships is a positive indicator.  These achievements suggest we are effectively preparing our students for success in competitive academic and professional environments.

Finally, what message do you wish to communicate to parents and students?

Investing in our children's future is paramount.  By nurturing their potential and equipping them with high-level competencies, we empower them to become thriving members of society.  In this endeavor, we recognize the invaluable role of parents.  Their partnership is essential as we work together to drive positive change and ensure the optimal development of our community and nation.