In a bid to enhance the quality of education in the area, the Butwal Sub Metropolis has established a modern science laboratory and library in all the 38 community schools in the metropolis.

In the first phase of its project, the sub metropolis’s office has constructed a modern lab in the schools that run science classes in grade 11 and 12. For secondary level students, the metropolis has established libraries with computers and WiFi facilities.

Shivaraj Subedi, mayor of the sub metropolis, said that his office has taken this step to strengthen teaching-learning experience for students through practical education. “The sub metropolis aims to reform the education sector. That’s why we have prioritised building libraries and upgrade science labs in community schools,” he said.

In the last fiscal year, the sub metropolis had allocated around Rs 2 million for the construction of science labs in community schools. The labs were constructed at Nabin Audhoygik Kadar Bahadur Reeta Secondary School in Devinagar, Kanti Secondary School in Haatbazaar Line and Siddheshwor Lal Kumari Secondary School in Deepnagar.

Amisha Sen Oli, a zoology student at grade 11, said that it’s easy for her to understand lessons with the help of the modern lab in her school. She said, “We study our coursebook in class and understand the subject matter in the lab. This has helped us to understand our lessons better.”

Last year, the sub metropolis had allocated around Rs 4.8 million to establish the libraries. Govinda Gyawali, the headmaster of Kanti Secondary School, said that students have shown interest in studies after the establishment of a library.

Modern libraries were established at Amar, Ujir Singh, Gyanodaya and Jiteshwori Secondary Schools. Each of those schools had received Rs 650,000 each to construct a modern library last year. This year, the sub metropolis plans to establish five more libraries in different schools.

Mitramani Khanal, chief at Education Division of the sub metropolis, said that the libraries have been set up in community schools to encourage students to pass their leisure time through learning. He said, “Each of the libraries consists of books and computer facilities. This has provided an additional platform for students to learn.”