Civic Education for Youth

A discussion organized by Nepal Foundation for Advanced Studies (NEFAS)

31 July 2006

Birendranagar, Surkhet

The series of discussions is being held with the objective of collecting feedback for a school book on civic education so that timely and contextual updates can be carried out. Many of the participants showed keen interest in taking civic education to villages, the illiterate population and even families so that they can bring up their children in a more proper atmosphere. And, the political representatives thought that ideological backbone is a vital need for any education policy, not just civic education. Although some teachers did come up with suggestions regarding expansion, or removal, of some concepts in the book, quite a number of the participants did not make any comments, content with just introducing themselves to the rest. The seminar was chaired by Pitamber Dhakal, Surkhet Campus chief.

Earlier, during his introductory remarks NEFAS Executive Director Prof. Ananda Srestha introduced his organization to the participants saying that ever since its establishment in 1990, NEFAS has been involved in carrying out research and discussions on development studies and democratic consolidation. This is our first programme in Surkhet, and we have already held similar discussions in 27 places throughout the Kingdom, he said. Since 1990, our aspiration for democracy has still a lot to be met, he said.

Prof. Srestha added that all the publications that NEFAS has brought out so far are part of the higher secondary and university curricula. "The book on civic education that we have developed is yet to be complete, which, we expect, will take place once the discussion feedback is included. Our aim of reaching to places outside Kathmandu is justified by our need to make the discussions on the issues more meaningful," he said.

He asked the participants to make their utmost contribution with their ideas about civic education and their experiences of teaching the subject.

Prof. Gunanidhi Sharma in his keynote address said that the problem of all ills in the country is centralization and that a much more decentralized apparatus is needed to allow more local level participation in governance. He pointed out the vital role of the young generation in bringing change in the society and said that they have been the energy behind all positive changes so far.

"Democracy is inclusive and participatory in nature. If the system is participatory and inclusive it will be a system based on justice. Central authority prevailed even post-1990, just like during the Rana days. Budgetary provisions were allocated according to individual discretion. The system itself militated against the needs of the people. This is what led to the people's movement II where everybody participated," he said.

He said, "Whether in the media or in politics, it is the younger generation that is the energy behind all the positive changes. It is engaged in training the society formally and informally for change. This energy must also be aroused through civic education.

"Education should not only be oriented towards employment but also provide the intellectual exercise necessary. Today's education has not been geared towards employment as many of them remain unemployed. Since the state appears impotent here, many have left for work abroad and many headed towards the jungles. Our education must take care of these anomalies," the professor said.

The keynote was followed by the main presentation put up for discussion written by Shiv Raj Dahal, a social scientist. In his presentation Dahal, blamed politics dirtying up the mind-set of students to such an extent that the political sector comes last in the priority list of students while pursuing higher education. "This makes politicization of the students necessary but should not mean that they should be encouraged to join partisan politics in the schools. In fact, this is what led to the problems seen in the education sector today," he said. The trend must be reversed for the younger generation to be able to contribute positively to the society.

Once the floor session ended with the author replying to the concerns raised by participants, the Chairman spoke:

The paper is relevant to our curriculum needs. We should not demand everything from it.
The under-18 population makes up 52 per cent of the total population and hence the paper has a great role to play. Unless the younger generation is led to the direction in time, we cannot achieve our social objectives.

We know that political parties have not tried to address the needs of their young workers. They are only using them by exploiting the patron-patronized relations handed down by tradition. Regarding awareness, the young generation is very aware of issues today.

Some time ago, children playing in the street asked me whether I was returning after taking part in the movement. In other words, they knew that a movement was in progress. When they saw I was limping, they asked me if I was beaten up by police. That means that they know that there were risks involved in agitations. That is the level of awareness among children.

We must all rise above partisan interests for the sake of the nation. The first part is to initiate debates. The fact that NEFAS brought the discussions here is therefore a good thing for us. We must be able to use this opportunity and knowledge to teach people about what the constituent assembly is. We must go to the villages to do so. I hope NEFAS brings along more such programmes for Surkhet.

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks from Shivaraj Dahal.