Code Clubs formed in 14 schools of Metropolis: Inaugurated at Shitala Secondary School by Deputy Mayor Dangol

A Code Club was formed today at Shitala Secondary School, Bohoratar (Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 16). Metropolitan Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, who visited the school to observe the "Book-Free Friday" program, inaugurated the club.

Just as students play football, basketball, and table tennis on the sports field, club members enjoyably build new computer programs. They code. They create animations. They do basic programming.

Its foundation is Scratch coding. Programs developed this way reach a network of students across 160 countries. They can even participate in international competitions through this platform.

Code Clubs have currently been initiated in 14 community schools across the Metropolis. There is a plan to expand and establish them in all community schools. To enhance the digital education landscape and to accustom students and teachers to the latest technological tools, the Metropolis is expanding technology in collaboration with Digital and Beyond. The target students for this program are from Grades 4 to 9. Children involved in the club's activities will receive support in academic and cognitive development, as well as in building critical thinking skills.

Regarding the outcomes of the ongoing program, Metropolitan Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) believes that club students can build their school's own website. Through this, the school's identity will reach the global audience. Currently, digital literacy among community school teachers has increased. Similarly, educational activities and teaching-learning processes have been initiated on Google Workspace.

In today's inspection, along with Deputy Mayor Dangol, Chief Administrative Officer Basanta Adhikari, Education Advisor Reshu Aryal, and Head of the Education Department Sitaram Koirala, among other officials, were present. Including Shitala, Code Clubs have so far been formed in 14 community schools.

Under the "Education with Skill" program at this school, beautician arts and hair styling are being taught. Mayor Shah expressed expectations that because both male and female students are participating in the beauty arts program, students will gain a broader understanding. Under the "Book-Free Friday" initiative at the school, learning activities such as Scout training and Nepal Bhasa music are conducted. At Tarun Secondary School today, Nepal Bhasa music, painting, and quiz competitions were completed under Book-Free Friday. Here, under skill-based training, classes on mobile and electronic equipment repair, agriculture and urban farming, and culinary arts are taking place. After the inspection, Deputy Mayor Dangol stated that a new learning methodology was implemented to meet the need for practical education in a competitive era. "If children are limited only to books, they cannot be shown the broader picture of education. Book-Free Friday will be beneficial in breaking out of this," the Deputy Mayor hoped.

Chief Administrative Officer Adhikari stated that based on the feedback received after operating the program, the Metropolis feels encouraged to ensure its continuity.

A team comprising the Head of the Education Department, education officers, and school inspectors inspected Gyan Rashmi Secondary School, Mahendra Boudha Secondary School (Boudha), Nawa Jagriti Secondary School, Bansbari Secondary School, Mahendra Rastriya Secondary School, and Dhumrabaraha Secondary School. Similarly, they inspected Bal Sewa Secondary School (Jhochhen), Nawa Adarsha Secondary School (Basantapur), and Shanti Nikunja Secondary School.

Likewise, journalists/media persons from the Communications Department inspected Ratna Rajya Secondary School, Sharada Secondary School, and other schools. During the inspections, aspects such as the activities conducted under Book-Free Friday, student interest in these activities, and the execution methods of skill-based training were evaluated.

According to Education Officer Sitaram Koirala, there is a plan to complete the inspection of all schools running skill-based programs by the coming Friday.