By Eva Manandar, 2014 Fellow

The beats of the madal, the drone of children shouting in excitement, the faint sound of laughter can all be heard from the hilltop; festivity is definitely in the air. As we walk downhill we see the school at a distance. Shree Kundala Devi Higher Secondary School in Thulosirubari is organising its first ever school exhibition. TFN fellows Hom B Thapa, Sabina Shrestha and Prashneel Nepal are teaching Science, English and Maths respectively in this school. 

 The ground is adorned with torans made of peepal ko paat, pink flowers and small pieces of clothes in red and green. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. “Sabai kura bhayo tara ajhai kasto khali lai ra cha, bachha haru lai sodhen ke garney vanera, uni haru ley afai idea nikaley  toran halney dai (everything is done, but still it seems quite empty, I asked the kids what can be done, they came up with the idea to put up streamers all around)," Prashneel’s words echo in my head. The stage was also made by the kids, by cutting bamboo sticks and tied with ropes all around.
 

After the opening is announced we head towards the classrooms where the exhibitions are being held. The first room has a poster that says Photo Exhibition. I ask one of the aamas who is looking at the pictures what she thinks of the exhibition. “Babu pahiley ta esto herna lai hami bhraman janu parthiyo, ahiley ta hami afai garna sakney bhae chaun, afnai school ma (Previously, we had to go on tours to see such things, now we have become capable of doing it by ourselves, in our own school),” she replied.

Women are eagerly pointing at photos and saying, “Amai yo ta bhauju ko bihey ko photo, tyo ta kuni kasko po photo, tyo ta kuni kasko ko photo (there is a picture of my relative’s wedding, there is another one)” reminiscing old times. Photos of teachers when they were students, photos of the school in the initial days adorn the walls, it is quite a sight to see and hear the excitement that fills up the room.

Next the ‘Enthusiastic Learning Club’. I visit one of the tables and ask the kids what is their exhibit about and they explain their board to me which is divided into – Noun, Pronoun, Adjective and Verb and has blocks with words on the other side. So, I pick up the word ‘small’ place it on Noun and ask  ‘La milyo ta mero, aba jiten ta ma (Is this right, do I get points for this?),” the kid says, “Ahan milena (No, that’s incorrect),” I ask, “kina ni (why?)”. He picks up the word, places it in adjective and confidently says, “Kina vaney small adjective ho (because small is an adjective).”

The room is packed with tables with so many interesting activities and the kids eagerly explaining it to people how they can learn from it. From Seven Stones to words arranged in various Bottles to pairing pictures and sentences many other activities are on display.

Another area that is really packed is the Hydro Power Plant model. The students know their stuff and explain how the entire thing runs and how electricity can be provided to households. Question -- “Ani timi haru yo model prayog gari gaun ma bijuli balna sakchau ta.” Answer -- “Anh adharbhut samanharu payaun vaney sakchaaun.” (Qestion – So, can you guys use this model to produce electricity in the village. Answer – Yes, if we are provided with the basic materials, we can.)

Another area had the board ‘Sip mulak pradarsani’ (skill development exhibition) and were displaying various models of equipment used in their homes and the village. A shy young girl sat there diligently weaving a ‘gundri’ (straw mat). “Yo gundri ke ko lagi banako?”. “Hamro class ko bench haru ma rakhna lai.” (“What will you do with this mat?” “We will place it in the benches in our class.”)

Next time for fun, not only children but parents and guardians excitedly participated in the various games from place the ring, getting the coin in a box to many many more, some could be seen coming time and again to try their luck.

 A very attractive area then caught my eye, where over a 100 different varieties of food items were on display. One kid hurriedly came up to us with pen and paper in hand and asked, “Tapai haru ke linu huncha (what would you like to have),” so there was sel, achar, chiura with masu set to name a few on the menu. While we were deciding, he quickly found another sir and asked, “Sir tapai chahin ke linu hunchha?” (What would you like to have, Sir?) After the sir gave his orders, the kid gives this smile and smartly asks, "ani sir school lai ni keh sahayog gari dinu hunchha ki?” (and Sir, would you like to help the school as well?)

Another significant occasion during the event was -- One area that these three fellows have come together for quite some time and the results could clearly be seen was their effort to manage plastic waste in their school and surroundings, at the event the school was declared a ‘plastic mukta kshetra’ (plastic free zone.)

Prashneel was sharing the day before the exhibition, “Thaha cha hami ley garna lako exhibition ko saab bhanda dami kura ke ho, sabai bachha haru ley nai garey, ra yo pali sabai teacher haru ley ni help gari diye, school ko paisa khassai lageko chhaina, ani hami ley yo exhibition garna lai euta pani class miss garenau.”  (Do you know the best part about the exhibition is that the kids did everything, even the teachers were very helpful, the school didn’t have to spend much as well. And we did not miss a single class to organise this programme.) From the moment we entered the school, it was evident how much effort everyone had put into this.

What was really impressive was that it was definitely the students who were totally in-charge of the entire event. They were the ones conducting the exhibition from managing stalls, explaining things, handling games to giving out food, they did it.

Though the fellows were there, they were just overlooking the event, while the children ran the event with ease and confidence.

Bhanincha shikshak ley chahyo vaney sakchha, after visiting that exhibition, I really do believe that shikshak ley chahyo vaney saanchikai jey pani garna sakchhan. (It is said that if a teacher wants to, s/he can really bring about a change, after visiting the exhibition, I really do believe that if a teacher really wants to s/he can do anything.)

Eva Manandhar is a 2014 TFN Fellow who teaches English in Terse Secondary School, Talamarang, Sindhupalchowk.