Gurukulas, Nepal’s traditional residential schools, have long been centers of ancient knowledge and wisdom. These institutions focus on the teachings of the Vedas, Karmakanda (rituals), Sanskrit grammar, literature, and other essential life skills. However, as the world rapidly embraces digital transformation, the curriculum in most Gurukulas has remained largely unchanged. While private and public schools have integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, Gurukulas continue to lack crucial subjects like computer science.

This gap is not just an educational shortfall; it’s a missed opportunity. While Vedic studies and spiritual practices are vital for preserving our cultural heritage, integrating STEM education, particularly computer science, could unlock new possibilities for students in Gurukulas. The introduction of a well-designed computer science curriculum could be a game-changer, equipping students with the digital skills they need to thrive in today’s world.

The Current State of Computer Education in Gurukulas

Over the past three years, we have worked closely with several Gurukulas across Nepal. During this time, we have observed that none of the Gurukulas we’ve encountered include computer science in their curriculum. A few have computer labs, but these are often poorly managed due to a lack of specific guidelines for their use and maintenance. Financial constraints prevent many of these institutions from hiring qualified computer teachers, resulting in students missing out on vital digital skills.

In an age where digital literacy is essential for almost every career path, this lack of computer education leaves Gurukula students at a significant disadvantage compared to their peers in private schools. Moreover, since Gurukula students reside full-time in these institutions, they have limited exposure to the technology that permeates the outside world. The only time they interact with mobile phones or computers is during vacations, often using these devices for social media or gaming. This is not due to a lack of interest but rather a lack of knowledge about the productive uses of technology.

To address this, it’s crucial to introduce computer education in Gurukulas to familiarize students with technology, teach them essential digital skills, and demonstrate the transformative potential of these tools.

The Importance of Computer Science Education for Gurukulas

Introducing computer science education in Gurukulas could be revolutionary. Here’s why:

1. Bridging the Digital Divide:
Formal computer science education can help bridge the digital divide. In today’s world, digital literacy is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Many Gurukula students have never even touched a computer before. Providing them with this opportunity will ensure they are not left behind in a rapidly digitizing world.

2. Enhancing Employability:
In today’s job market, computer skills are a prerequisite for most careers. By equipping Gurukula students with these skills, we significantly enhance their employability, giving them a competitive edge. For instance, a student from one of the first Gurukulas where we established a computer lab mastered Nepali typing and now earns a side income by typing books. This is just one example of how digital skills can open new doors for these students.

3. Encouraging Innovation:
Computer science fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. With knowledge in coding, web design, and graphic design, Gurukula students could become innovators in their fields. They could create apps for learning Sanskrit, develop a Nepali-Sanskrit dictionary, or even build websites for their Gurukulas. They possess vast traditional knowledge, but a digital barrier prevents them from sharing it widely. Computer education can help bridge this gap.

4. Supporting Traditional Studies:
Modern technology can also be a powerful tool in preserving and sharing traditional knowledge. Digital tools can be used to preserve ancient texts, digitize them, and make them more accessible to students and scholars worldwide. For instance, students could translate and digitize important texts like the Upanishads, Vedas, and Samhitas. They could also help preserve historical documents and books that are decaying in the National Archive Center and other places.

Our Vision: Integrating Computer Science in Gurukulas

At Reinstalling Hope, we envision a future where every Gurukula in Nepal has a well-equipped computer lab and a robust computer science curriculum. Our goal is to ensure that all students in these institutions have the opportunity to acquire essential computer skills.

Steps to Realize This Vision:

1. Setting Up and Maintaining Computer Labs:
We have already established computer labs in a few Gurukulas and are managing them in several more. This includes providing up-to-date hardware and software, along with clear guidelines for their use and maintenance. We plan to establish more labs in the future, depending on the financial and administrative support we receive.

2. Developing a Comprehensive Curriculum:
We are developing a computer science curriculum tailored to the needs of Gurukula students. This year-long course will cover basic to advanced skills, including typing, using MS Word and Excel, web design, coding, and more. We are planning to put this task as the main agenda of 2024 RH Fellowship Program.

3. Training Teachers and Tutors:
Ensuring that teachers and tutors are well-equipped to deliver computer science education is critical. We will have competent tutors to deliver the content through online classes. But for computer education, we believe it is essential to have someone in person to monitor the progress and guide students. Therefore, we are planning to arrange frequent gurukula visits for our tutor or hire a Rural Education Intern who would stay at the Gurukula for 6–10 weeks and teach the students.

4. Continuous Support and Evaluation:
We will offer ongoing support to ensure the sustainability of computer science programs in Gurukulas. This includes regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the programs and make necessary adjustments. We will also assess the progress of students through creative mini-projects.

The Impact of Computer Science Education

Upon completing the course, we believe students will have a strong foundational knowledge in the covered areas. They will be empowered to use their learned computer skills in their future endeavors. We will assess their progress through mini-projects and even challenge them to build websites for their own Gurukulas.

Call to Action

To make this vision a reality, we need your support — both financial and educational. If you believe in the transformative power of computer science education and our mission to integrate it into Gurukulas, please consider contributing to our organization in any way you can. Your support, no matter the amount, will help us bring meaningful change to these traditional institutions and empower their students to thrive in the modern world.

Together, we can ensure that Gurukula students are not left behind but are instead equipped to lead and innovate in the 21st century. Join us in this transformative journey and help us bring the future of education to the Gurukulas of Nepal.