Schools across the country are increasingly embracing hands-on learning to equip students with practical life skills. At Yechen Central School in Pema Gatshel, students are learning through a hands-on agriculture and horticulture programme. By transforming unused school land into productive land, they are not only gaining knowledge on how to grow crops but also contributing to food self-sufficiency.
Members of the School Agriculture Programme are manuring pomegranate trees.
These students have turned more than an acre of unused land into vibrant orchards of fruit trees.
It is the school’s commitment to learn beyond the classroom.
Wang Norbu, focal agriculture teacher said “We focus on management practices, whereby we do fruit thinning, so that we get uniform fruiting in the coming years. Secondly, we want to solve the problem of pests and diseases in the community. We want to make sure that in the future, there are no pests and diseases in the community.”
Pema Choki, school agriculture programme member said “At home, we used to apply manure directly at the roots. But here, we are learning techniques. Now, when we return to our villages, we can share what we have learned with others.”
Moenlam Dorji, school agriculture programme captain said “Fruit trees can produce for several years once planted. This way, we can supply fresh fruits to our students without relying on imports. What we’re doing here is quite different from village practices. I hope to bring these methods back to my community.”
The benefits go beyond education.
The fruits and vegetables they harvest are sold to the school mess, generating income for students and supporting the school’s food supply at the same time.
From mango to pomegranate and guava, they grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Wang Norbu, focal agriculture teacher said “That becomes pocket money for students when they go home. At school, they use it to buy essentials like pens and detergents.”
Beyond food and earnings, the orchards are helping to beautify the school and provide shaded areas where students can study during hot weather.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
