“We were taught about vegetable farming in our classes. We have been implementing that education practically on the farm. Practical education has helped us understand the course better,” Shyangtan said.

Risika Karki, Syangtan’s classmate, said she and her classmates regularly attend the practical classes on the farm.

Like Syangtan and Karki, 40 other students of grade nine have enrolled in the Bali Bigyan (Crops Science) course.

The school started the course from the current academic year.

“Students have started a mushroom farm and they also grow cauliflower and cabbage,” said Nabina Gahatraj, a trainer of the course. “We have started growing mushrooms and cauliflowers commercially. Mushrooms produced by students are sold at Rs 150 per kg from the school’s counter.”

In the coming days, students will be growing cucumber and various other vegetables, Gahatraj said.

Meanwhile, students say the practical lessons have motivated them to study well.

“We can practically implement the things that we learn in textbooks,” said Karki. “We have also learnt a skill that will help us gain income in the future. We can cultivate crops and vegetables in our own land and sell them.”

Jaya Shankar Singh, the school’s headmaster, said the institution started the course after the Department of Education provided it with Rs 2.6 million grant in the current academic year.

“We purchased agricultural equipment worth around Rs 1.6 million. The remaining amount is being used for building a lab,” said Singh. “The course has gained popularity among students.”