Education nowadays is fully based on bookish knowledge. The creative thinking part seems to be missing in our education system. The education system that we have today barely offers opportunities to the students to think individually based on their own capabilities.

Different individuals have different talents and different learning abilities. The system however places stress on textbook knowledge a lot, thereby forcing students to resort to rote learning, which comprises memorising facts and figures.

Students must be involved in creative learning, physical education, music and other extra-curricular activities for their overall development.

Focus should not only be on academic success of students. Educating children also means teaching them life skills. We need to bring some reforms in our education system so as to understand the creative talents of different students and prepare them for their life challenges accordingly.

But when we talk about education system in Nepal, we also need to look at the schools across the country. Even in the 21st century, remote parts of the country lack proper school infrastructure. The state must ensure that every child enjoys his/ her right to education.

When we come to urban centres, especially in the Capital Kathmandu, we see lots of “world class” educational institutes. But are we giving our children the kind of education they require to prepare themselves to compete at the international level? It is high time we started addressing twin issues simultaneously. Firstly, in rural parts we got to build school infrastructure and equip schools with good teachers. Secondly, in schools across the country, focus must shift from giving bookish knowledge to practical education.

Our policy makers must understand that education is not only about books and exams and memorising facts, formula and theorems. Education is when students learn something new. Unless students are motivated to use their creative skills in learning, bookish knowledge could leave them half-educated, devoid of capacity to deal with real challenges they will face in future.

Well-educated students not only do well in life but also can contribute in nation-building.  So apart from bookish knowledge, practical education is very important in schools for students, as it helps in overall development of the individual, society and the country.