Ilam schools launch initiative to eliminate traditional homework for young students

Ilam – Suryaodaya Municipality-5 has initiated a new practice aimed at making the teaching system in community schools practical, creative, and child-friendly.

The initiative seeks to free children from traditional homework, launch a two-year campaign to foster a reading culture, and introduce ‘STEM education’ at the school level. This decision is seen as an innovative and effective educational practice.

Boudha Basic School has decided not to assign traditional homework to students up to grade five. According to Ward Chairperson Urgen Bomjan, the campaign was launched by the school and ward office to reduce mental stress on children and protect their childhood, creativity, and imagination.

“Parents are urged to keep children away from digital devices like mobiles, televisions, and tablets,” he said. “We have requested parents to create an environment at home where children can read, understand, and enjoy storybooks during their free time, and to develop a habit of sitting with children in the evening to listen to them, tell stories, and encourage their imagination.”

Additionally, the ward has launched a two-year campaign to develop a reading culture. The campaign involves 214 students and 35 teachers from seven community schools. Regular classes on creative writing, presentation, and critical analysis will be conducted. Ward Chairperson Bomjan informed that the campaign is being run in collaboration with Paila Foundation Nepal to improve the reading skills of students and teachers.

Campaign facilitator Narendra Nagarkoti stated that the lack of a reading culture is weakening the creative capacity of society. “The influence of home, school, technology, and society affects whether children read books or not,” he said. “If parents themselves do not show a habit of reading, children cannot understand the importance of books.”

Meanwhile, with the aim of expanding technology-friendly education in community schools, the ward has also conducted a five-day training program on ‘STEM education’ at Samalbong Secondary School.

The training, which covers science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, targeted 40 students from grades 8, 9, and 10. Executive member Kesar Kumari Poudel stated that the program was conducted to move students away from rote learning towards research-oriented and practical learning.

Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality, Bijyan Koirala, emphasized that mere theoretical practice cannot achieve educational success, highlighting the need for group discussions, experience sharing, and research-based learning.

According to training facilitator Aswin Joshi, students were given practical learning on the operation of electronic devices, the construction of automated systems, and the use of ‘3D printing’. Although ‘3D printing’ practice is rare in government schools, the ward has provided necessary materials to emphasize practical education for students.

“Students can design and print objects they imagine themselves,” he said. “This will develop life skills and knowledge.”