Kaski's Sanskrit Secondary School: Tracing the Legacy of Education from Ancient Gurukuls to Modern Infrastructure

Kaski. There was a famous saying in the past, 'If you cannot get an education, go to Kashi, or go to Kaski.' Due to the Pindhi Pathshala operating in Paundur of Annapurna Rural Municipality and the education provided in the Vindhyabasini area during the 18th-19th centuries, this region was a center of education, drawing interest and discussion as a distinct destination for learning since ancient times.

At that time, it was called Pindhi Pathshala because individuals of the Paudel surname taught while seated on a 'pindhi' (a raised platform) in Paundur. It is noted that during that period, scholars of the Parajuli and Regmi surnames were imparting education in the Guru-Disciple tradition around Vindhyabasini.

Based on the Gurukul education system operating in Kaski, formal schools were established in the Vindhyabasini area, where traditional Gurukuls were running, following the policy of opening primary schools across the country during the tenure of Prime Minister Devshamsher Jung Bahadur Rana in 1958 BS, according to educationist and Chairman of the Sanskrit Secondary School Management Committee, Bishnu Prasad Adhikari.

According to him, initially, the arrangement was for two teachers to teach Sanskrit and Nepali Shrestha education subjects at this school. Previously, students who studied here had to go to Banaras to take the Sanskrit education exam and to Kathmandu to take the Shrestha education exam. Later, the provision was that the initial civil service examination (Nizamati Prathama) would be held here, and one had to go to Kathmandu for the intermediate civil service examination (Nizamati Madhyama), he stated.

The Sanskrit Secondary School located at Bhimkali Patan, Pokhara Metropolitan City-1, is the oldest school not only in the district but in the entire Gandaki Province.

With the start of the National Education System Plan of 2028 BS, the School Management Committee was formed at this school as directed by the then Education Act. According to that Act, Bholanath Parajuli took the responsibility as the first chairman for the school's management.

Subsequently, the responsibility of the school chairmanship was successively held by Mukundsharan Upadhyaya, Tej Nath Ghimire, Tirth Shrestha, Motiman Shakya, Keshavraj Parajuli, Chakrapani Subedi, Chijman Gurung, Rajendra Raman Parajuli, Govinda Nepali, Ishwarilal Shrestha, and currently Bishnu Prasad Adhikari.

In terms of the school's academic administration, Rudranath Paudel (Aghau) held the responsibility of Headmaster at the time of establishment. Subsequently, Gunandhi Parajuli, Deviraman Parajuli, Shivkumar Regmi, Somnath Regmi, Tanknath Parajuli, Balmukunda Regmi, Badri Pahari, Shukdev Baral, Indraprasad Parajuli, Atmaram Bastola, Janardan Tripathi, Toyanath Paudel, Tara Pakhe, Damodar Bastola, Krishnaprasad Devkota, Govindprasad Sigdel, and currently Shri Krishna Sigdel is the Headmaster.

According to records, in 2013 BS, the committee chaired by Sundarprasad Marsani arranged for the transfer of land from Birtawal Ratnakar Parajuli in the name of the Royal Sanskrit Primary School (Rajakiya Sanskrit Pratham Pathshala) and managed the teaching arrangements.

Similarly, in 2021 BS, the committee chaired by Zonal Commissioner Nand Bahadur Malla is seen to have constructed a building on the land transferred by Birtawal Ratnakar Parajuli.

Out of the 82 Ropanis of land received by the school from the Birta, 10 Ropanis of land have been provided to the Bindhyabasini Sanskrit Vidyapeeth here, where higher education classes in Sanskrit are being conducted.

Chairman Adhikari stated that before the implementation of the new education system of 2028 BS, only Sanskrit, Nepali, and Grammar were taught at the school, but after 2028 BS, compulsory education was included, and the name was changed from Royal Sanskrit Primary School to Sanskrit Secondary School.

He mentioned that to increase the attraction towards Sanskrit education, free accommodation and meals have been arranged for students from remote parts of the country who are deprived of educational opportunities since 2074 BS.

A School Improvement Plan has been formulated, continuously improved, revised, and implemented to operate the school according to the plan. The student enrollment has increased to 220 compared to the past.

Spiritual activities such as regular meditation, Rudrabhishek, and Vishnu Sahasranama recitation are being conducted by the residential students (Batuks) of the school. He informed that a temple and Havan Kund (fire pit) have been constructed as practical classrooms for subjects like rituals taught at the school.

Significant Achievements in Physical Infrastructure Development

Headmaster Shri Krishna Sigdel stated that significant development has occurred in physical infrastructure and other areas since the management committee led by Adhikari was formed in July 2078 BS.

During this period, a four-room concrete building, a water tank, and toilets were constructed with the support of the National Reconstruction Authority at a cost of approximately 9.2 million rupees.

The construction of the Shiva Panchayan Temple, which had been stalled for about two years on the school premises, has been completed. Idols of Shiva Linga, Ganesha, Vishnu, Devi, Surya (Shiva Panchayan), along with Lakshmi-Narayan, Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram, Saraswati, Ashtachiranjivi, and Navagraha, have been installed and daily worship has commenced after Pran Pratishtha (consecration). A Havan Kund has also been constructed in the temple premises.

An additional four-room concrete building was constructed at a cost of approximately 36 lakh rupees with the support of the Rotary Club.

An auditorium hall has been constructed, the science laboratory upgraded, and residential arrangements made for the Gurukul with the support of the Education Division of Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Social Development of the Gandaki Province Government, Pokhara Metropolitan City, and the school's internal resources.

In coordination with various donors and organizations, a flower garden has been developed on the school premises and the Shivapanchayan temple premises, seven Chautaris (resting places) have been built, and plants of religious significance have been planted. Scholarships have been arranged with the support of Pokhara Metropolitan City-1 and various endowment fund donors and supporters. Additionally, drinking water facilities and a playground have been constructed.

Chairman Adhikari stated that the number of residential students (Batuks) in the Gurukul has increased from 11 in the past to 70 currently. Free accommodation and meals are provided to them. A separate subcommittee has been formed for Gurukul management. Currently, the Gurukul has six specialized members and 186 lifetime members.

An agreement has been signed with the Maharishi Vedic Foundation to mobilize financial resources for Gurukul management. This foundation provides 50,000 rupees monthly for meal management and 22,000 rupees for the meditation teacher.

Shrikanta Sapkota, the school's information officer, stated that extra classes are being arranged at a very minimal fee to improve the school's academic quality and results.

According to him, in addition to extra classes related to Vedas and rituals, practical skills are also being imparted to the students. A 'Plus Two' program in Sanskrit has been introduced at the school. Furthermore, arrangements have been made for free study in the 10+2 program in coordination with Nepal Sanskrit University.

The school has made significant progress not only in physical infrastructure but also in improving educational quality.