[lg policy] Nepal: Students perform prayers in four languages

[Harold Schiffman]

Students perform prayers in four languages
Last Updated : 2009-12-25 1:37 PM
The Himalayan Times -
 Santosh Choudhari


BIRATNAGAR: Students of Crescent Public School in Amannagar of
Biratnagar-7 perform prayers in four languages every morning --
'tilawate Koran' in Arabi, 'tarana' in Urdu, school song in English
and the national anthem in Nepali. The languages, however, do not
feature in the assembly only. All the four languages have been used as
mediums of instruction. Principal Asif Ahmed Chapagain (Arjun
Chapagain) said, "It is a private English-medium school. Besides
formal curriculum, the Muslim children learn Urdu and Arabi while the
non-Muslim ones are imparted moral education." Formerly a journalist
based in Panchthar district, Asif has been the head teacher in the
school for the last two years.

According to him, there are about 250 children in the school that was
established in 2005. Fifteen non-Muslim children study in various
grades in it. These children are taught the moral education
recommended by Curriculum Development Centre. The school has also
prioritised computer education, which has been introduced right from
grade one. "This is the first school in the area to teach computer
from grade one," the principal boasted. The school has been run by
Alahera Education Society Nepal, an NGO which runs Madrasa and private
boarding schools in Kapilbastu, Banke, Palpa, Gorkha, Sunsari and
Morang districts.

Julfakar Ali, acting secretary general, Alahera Koshi Zonal Committee,
said, "Alahera education is a combined form of national education and
traditional Madrasa education system. In Madrasa, primary education is
imparted in Urdu and the Koran is taught in Arabi." He added, "But the
national education system does not incorporate spiritual education of
various religions. Without spiritual and moral education, we cannot
imagine of a civilised society." The education provided through
Alahera is neither the modern form of Madrasa education nor the
limited form of formal education.

"This education is provided to the children through the government
curriculum from a private school established as per the law," said
Abdul Mannan, another member of Alahera Zonal Committee. "We have only
added some subjects in the basic education," he said. Ali said the
Muslim children were deprived of basic education in native language
even though the government had adopted such a policy. Though most
schools had Muslim children, none managed to provide basic education
in Urdu, Mannan added.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Students+perform+prayers+in+four+languages&NewsID=216809
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