Learning to help others

Kathmandu:

Helping the helpless to help themselves’ — this is the motto these colleges abide by. Social work is a relatively new subject in our country, which was started in 1996 with a few colleges offering this course mainly in the Bachelors level.

Both theoretical and practical knowledge is equally emphasised on in the course. The

subjects consist of Social Work Methodology, Psychology, Philosophy, Women Studies, Child Rights, Research Methodology, Social Work Administration, Development Communication, Community Organisation, Rural and Urban Community Development, Introduction

to Gender Studies, Sociology, English, Nepali and others. (Some of the subjects vary in different colleges.)

The organisations these colleges are working with include Richmond Fellowship Nepal, Child Workers Association on Nepal (CWIN), Concern Nepal, Navajyoti, Social Service Centre, Community Work Centre (CWC), Centre for Victim of Torture (CVICT), Informal Sector Service (INSEC), Share and Care, Nepal Cancer Relief Society (NCRS), Youth Vision Crisis and Care, Victim Support and among others.

Students are exposed to different settings each year so that they get an idea about the different problems that exist in society.

St Xavier’s College of Social Work

St Xavier’s was the first college to start Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) course in the year 1996, and this course is affiliated to KU. It also offers Masters in Social Work (MSW) now, which is under PU.

They have theoretical classes three days a week and two days’ field work. It is compulsory for students to do 15 hours field work each week.

“Since we have been running this programme for a long time, we have a good rapport with

various organisations and the reputation of our ex-students

is also really good. Currently there are around 50 organisations we are working with,” says Richa Subedi who teaches social work at the college.

They also have special programmes. In the first year they have one week Working camp, where students work with a community, followed by a Rural camp in the second year when students are taken to rural areas for 15 days and they work there. In the third year, the students take part in the Urban camp when they are taken to cities in India so that they can learn how organisations function in big cities.

Masters level includes the above mentioned subjects in a more in-depth manner along with field work.

Students need 50 per cent or higher to apply. Admissions for Bachelors is between August and September, for Masters between November and December.

Kadambari Memorial College of Science and Management

(Department of Social Work)

Kadambari College offers Bachelors of Social Work under PU. “We encourage students especially from outside the Valley to come and study, so that they can learn and go back to their villages and work for their own community,” says Amita Kaushik, Head of Research and Training. “Ours is a rights-based approach and we are also trying to focus on environmental settings,” she adds. They have one week of theory classes and one week of practical classes.

“The other advantage one has of studying here is that, if you wish, we also offer a four years Bachelors depending on the students needs,” says Pranita Udas, Founder Member of the college.

You will receive a Pass course for three years’, and Honours for four years’ study.

Admissions will be taken till the end of September and you require minimum of 40 per cent.

K and K College

K and K College offers Bachelors in social work and is affiliated to TU and will be taking in their third batch this year. Along with SW, students have a choice between Psychology and Rural Development.

“We encourage students to take up Psychology as it deals with understanding an individual’s attitude and will help them in SW too,” says Suman Shrestha, Principal of K and K College. “As there are two subjects students have more options,” he adds.

They have two days’ theory classes and two days’ field work. To make sure their students are well equipped and to help them they have Individual conference (IC), once every week and Group conferences (GC) as well. IC which is done with their supervisor helps one cope and confront the situations they have to face.

They were the ones to conduct the First Youth Social Conference in 2007. Admissions will be till starting of October, you

require at least 45 per cent to get in.