Geological Curriculum for High School

                                     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.