Kathmandu, September 26, 2016: UNESCO in collaboration with the Non Formal Education Center recently awarded ten photographers who clicked pictures on the theme of ‘lifelong learning’.
The first prize winner Manoj Paudel, from Kapilvastu, had captured students in Malawa wading through a river on their way home from school, due to lack of proper infrastructures. The Second prize winner, Binamra Adhikari had shot a photo of children learning traditional scriptures and mantras while the third prize winner, Shreemila Bajracharyat had snapped the Kumari learning.
UNESCO representative to Nepal, Christian Manhart awarded the winners with cash prizes, certificates, letters of appreciation and 2016 International Literacy Day T-shirts and assured that UNESCO will use the pictures strategically to promote literacy and lifelong learning. The Director of the Non-Formal Education Centre, Diwakar Dhungel emphasized the importance to ‘learn, unlearn, and relearn’ in our fast-paced contemporary society.
Lifelong learning means learning in and out of classrooms, across ages and generations, and learning skills relevant to the student’s social context. It is especially relevant in Nepal, where a diversity of culture, ethnicities, languages and climatic zones coexist.
The photography contest was held on the occasion of the 50th International Literacy Day on 8 September.
The winning photographs:
Nothing riskier than losing the opportunity to learn: Despite the extreme risk, students have to swim through the river to go back home from school due to the lack of proper infrastructure (bridge) in Malawa, Kapilvatsu.
All round education: ancient scriptures and young minds. In the quest of knowledge, one should not forget one’s roots. The picture shows children being taught how to read the traditional scriptures and mantras.
Balancing act: desire to get an education and handling responsibilities.
School curriculum is not enough; what about the skills necessary in everyday life? In the picture, a child learns the basics about farming from his father.
Differently abled yet, empowered.
Differently abled yet, empowered.
The moment of enlightenment: The elderly woman is excited as she is finally able to figure out her ‘क ख ग’s.
Age is no bar to the one who wills.
Breaking gender stereotypes: The Madarasa brings children of both gender under the same roof, a rare phenomenon in Islamic religion.
Despite the perils around, the young girl in the picture never lost her desire to learn, giving us an important message that life goes on and so should our efforts to learn new things.
Courtesy: UNESCO
