Attraction grows towards Sanskrit education

Pokhara / Apr 21: At a time when many Sanskrit schools are getting closed with a declining number of students, the Sanskrit Secondary School here has restored its image to attract students and guardians lately.

The School has contributed tremendously in the education sector of Gandaki State. Established in 1958 BS, the Sanskrit Secondary School has been working to win the hearts of students and guardians, said Chairman of the School Management Committee, Govinda Nepali, adding, “Currently, we’re providing residential education to 60 students. Although there were few students some years back, the number of students has reached 217 now.”

The school enrolment drive was still continuous. The students belonging not only to the Brahman community but also the women and Dalit are showing interest in learning Sanskrit education. The attraction of Dalit students towards Sanskrit education is the inspiration from the late social activist Bhabe Sharki, the locals reminded.

Among 217 students, nearly 40 percent students are from Dalit community, said School Principal, Govinda Sigdel. Similarly, 20 percent are from the indigenous community. Management Committee Chairman Nepali viewed earlier, learning Sanskrit meant learning no other subjects except it, which discouraged many to join the Sanskrit School. But the concept is changed now.

While learning Sanskrit, many other subjects are also taught, he added. Among eight hundred full marks from Grade 6 to 10, Sanskrit education carries only 200 marks. Up to Grade 5, English is also taught. Now the preparation is on to run Grade 11 and 12 as well, he added.

In the past, Sanskrit education was taught in a gurukul system where both gurus and students had to follow strict discipline and undergo perseverance. “Although Sanskrit is the major language of Oriental culture and the mother of Nepali language, the scope of the Sanskrit study and research is yet to be broadened,” observed teacher at Bindubashini Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Dr Jagannath Acharya. He argued that for lack of Sanskrit language, morality and integrity were fast eroding in society. RSS