Geological Curriculum for High School in Nepal
Abstract:
This article is about the need of implementation of
geological curriculum in the high school level. As the need of time, geology
course is becoming a must to the modern civilization, to make people aware
about natural hazards and environmental conservation. In developing countries
like Nepal, knowledge about geology is necessary right from the school level as
our country is frequently affected by natural hazards like earthquake, flood,
landslide etc and to increase tourism through proper management of natural
sites and mountaineering. So, this
article raises the needs and benefits of geosciences education in the high
school level of Nepal.
Key Words: geology curriculum, high school geology, geology in Nepal
1. INTRODUCTION
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid
earth, the rocks of which it is composed and the processes by which they
change.
The scope of geology is very vast and vital to the
human lives of this planet. It is very difficult to imagine the modern
civilization without the resource geological inputs of coal, oil, gas, etc.
Also the external and internal geological processes of earth have been
responsible for the present landforms including soil, surface and subsurface
water bodies, so essential for lives. The awareness of geological hazards like
earthquake, volcanoes, flood and tsunami have also made the live of modern man
safe through the modification in the houses and other infrastructures.
Moreover, urbanization and industrialization mainly responsible for different
types of wastes and surface and subsurface water pollutions have also made it
imperative that geosciences education is becoming a must fir the school level
students and especially for Nepalese who are frequently affected by natural
hazards like earthquake, flood and several environmental problems.
Presently, the undergraduate course in Geology (B. Sc. Geology) is available in 4 colleges: Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Kathmandu, Birendra Multiple Campus, Chitwan, Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara and Central Campus of Technology, Dharan. Master's course is available in University Campus, Kirtipur (M.Sc. Geology & M.Sc. Engineering Geology) and Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus (M.Sc. Engineering Geology).
2. WHY
GEOLOGY IN HIGH SCHOOL?
At present, except geology (or in a very brief
amount), all science subjects are taught at primary and secondary levels. So,
the neglect of this subject at junior level is the major cause of lack of
awareness about environmental protection, energy and other geological processes
undergoing around us. The present education in school level in our country is
more book oriented and rote learning which has narrowed the mind of the
students. So, to expose the students towards the nature and make them practical
can be enhanced through implementation of geology course in the school level.
Nepal being a country frequently affected by natural
hazards like earthquake, flood, landslide, awareness about these hazards is
must. But the situation is such critical that most Nepalese people are even
unknown about the simple preventive measures. So, the education about these
things right from school level may help a lot during the time of such hazards
which also shows the importance of geology in high school education. Similarly,
people are unaware about various geological processes undergoing around them.
So to make them know what is happening around them and make aware about
environmental conservation, geology education in school level is becoming a
need of time. Also geology covers the use of coal, oil, petroleum products used
in our day to day life.
Also Nepal has high possibilities in the tourism
industry so for the attraction of tourists in the country the natural sites of
the country should be well managed. Mountaineering is also one of the sectors
for tourist attraction. Therefore knowledge about geology is must for the
improvement of these sectors also.
3. BENEFITS AFTER
The major benefit after the implementation of geology
curriculum in the school level is the public awareness about various natural
hazards. The generation will be a step forward about the prevention measures
during times of natural hazards and environmental conservation as the idea is
given to them from the school level. They will be able to know the role and
importance of each and every component of earth upon themselves which will lead
them for the nature conservation. They will also be aware about proper use of
natural resources.
A most important economic benefit is the reduction in
budget for the public awareness which can be utilized for other developmental
activities. Also there will be many employment and research opportunities for
the fresh graduates in this field.
4. CONCLUSION
As the demand of time, geology is becoming necessary
in the school level curriculum but geology itself being a very vast subject, up
to which extent should it be covered for high school students might be a
challenging issue. Also, geology being a completely new course for school
level, the time and resource management is difficult too.
Many other developed and developing countries have
benefited themselves a lot by implementing geology course in their high school
levels. So, it’s time for our country also to introduce geology in high school
with the cooperation with all the related sectors which may help in minimizing
the challenges. This may also help in making Geologists as better professionals
in the country and others more aware and concerned inhabitants of the planet.
