Use of Short Stories in Language Learning

This study is an attempt to explore understanding of English teachers on the use of traditional short stories in language learning and find out the impacts of extensive reading of culturally embedded short stories in consolidating students' language learning. Phenomenological research design was adopted to carry out this study in which 8 English teachers represented 4 from public and 4 from institutional secondary schools were selected from Kirtipur Muncipality of Kathmandu district through purposive non-random sampling procedure. In-depth-interview and classroom observation were used as tools to collect data to address the objectives of this study. The findings of this study show that the language functions and vocabulary could be improved through short stories; language skills could be cultivated with the help of reading short stories; their higher order thinking skills are developed reading short stories; and they get entertainment, motivation and refreshment.

Barriers of School Transition for Children with Disability: Lived Experience of Parents in Kathmandu Valley

This study aimed to explore the barrier of school transition for the children with disability from the parent's prospective. This study adopted qualitative method along with hermeneutics phenomenology. On the behalf of philosophical orientation, multiple realities were ontological basis and lived experiences of participants were epistemological assumption. The construct of critical disability theory was applied in this study. Purposefully 5 parents were selected from Kathmandu Valley. Data sources included field's notes, indepth interviews and artifacts. Interviewed data were transcribed and categorized to develop theme. Result revealed that several challenges such as awareness, attitude, accessibility, misconception, infrastructure, lack of policy implementation and ill motivation about disability are the major barrier towards transition. The perception of parents toward special school and rehabilitation centre are inadequately supporting to smooth transition. This study might be valuable support for policy maker in ensuring the no child left behind for the welfare state.

Fresh Milk Quality Analysis of Buffalo, Cow, Goat and Sheep of Sunwal Municipality (West), Nepal

In the present study, the fresh raw milk of four different mammals viz, buffalo, goat, cow and sheep were collected from village area of Sunwal Municipality and analyzed for their physio-chemical parameters viz, moisture, conductivity, pH, titratable acidity specific gravity, fat solids not fat and total solid. It was found that all measured parameters were found as per recommended standard as compared with reported nutritional quality of milk from WHO standards and other International Standards. The main objective of this study was to compare the physio-chemical properties and quality parameters of different fresh milk samples available in Sunwal Municipality, Nawalparasi (West), Nepal and provide nutritional benefits for health. These tests were carried in chemistry laboratory of Butwal Multiple Campus and Dairy Devlopment Corporation in Butwal industrial area. The value of pH ranged from 6.58±0.53 to 6.65±0.51, conductivity ranged from 6.52±1.98 to 10.8±2.07 mS, moisture content ranged from 78.1±4.30% to 89.7±5.02% .Similarly TTA% ranged averagely from 0.117% to 0.153%,CLR from 26.1 to 28.3, specific gravity ranged from1.0261 to 1.0283 averagely and fat % ranged from 3.3±0.41% to 6.8±0.96%. Similarly, SNF% ranged from 1.58±0.49% to 2.05±0.22% and TS% ranged from 11.225±0.28% to 16.075±1.19 % respectively.

An Analysis of Approaches to Teaching Literature

This study analyzes the approaches to teaching literature in terms of their major concerns in a literary text, the roles of teachers and students that these approaches demand while handling literary texts, and the limitations the approaches have. The data were gathered from existing theoretical and empirical literature and analyzed descriptively and critically. The study shows that the approaches to teaching literature acknowledge literary texts for their own purposes. For example, a language-based approach treats literature as one of the authentic sources of language teaching and learning to acquire better proficiency of language by students. Likewise, information-based and new criticism approaches regard literature as material to facilitate students to acquire the skills of appreciation. Response-based and other critical literary approaches support the analysis of literary texts using different critical lenses. Concerning the roles of students under the adoption of the aforementioned approaches to teaching literature, the reader-response approach could provide enough space for the students’ responses. The study emphasizes the use of multiple approaches for effective teaching learning of literature.

NGO Regulation: Themes and Debates with Reference to Nepal

Since the 1980s, due to the failure of previous development strategies, nongovernmental organizations have emerged as major actors in development, particularly in developing countries like Nepal. However, in recent years, most countries have perceived that NGOs are not operating genuinely to fulfill their expected goals. In this context, this paper set out to answer two questions: why NGOs tend to represent donors' preferences and why developing countries like Nepal become unable to adopt strict NGO regulations. It is based on the analysis of archival documents and review of previous study findings and draws insights from resource dependence theory. It concludes that when NGOs depend on external donors for financial resources, they are compelled to represent donor's interests. Similarly, aid-dependent developing countries like Nepal often hesitate to adopt strict NGO regulations because of the fear of external pressure from their donor agencies. Thus, resource dependency makes both NGOs and the governments unable to resist the pressure of donor agencies. Its conclusions can be useful to adopt an appropriate framework to regulate NGOs in Nepal.

Estimation and Projection of Fertility, 2001-2031: Province 2, Nepal

Fertility is an essential tool of population growth which levels and patterns can assist to formulate and evaluate policies related to population change. Fertility decline in Nepal has been tested and tried with different studies gives different figures like demographic health survey and national census data but varies data in provincial level. This study describes number of children ever born and number of birth before 12 months who were given birth by reproductive (15-49) age group of women. The study has utilized census data from CBS that were conducted in 2001 and 2011. These national household censuses were carried out in 12.5 percent of total household. From census data files 1,063,903 and 1,304,079 number of reproductive age group of women were identified through analysis. The study was carried out adhering to the Arriaga method and changing P/F ratio method. Age sex pyramids and frequency table represent demographic scenario of provincial 2. The TFR values of province 2 exact years 2016, 2021, 2026 and 2031 were obtained by linear interpolation and extrapolation by 2031, it will to reach TFR replacement level.

Measuring Effectiveness of Project Communication Channels in Affected Communities in Nepal

This study is identifying the most appropriate communication medium to communicate with local people by Arun-3 Hydropower Project (AHPP) especially focusing on the project construction phase. Since, the study is focused on the construction period when chances of misunderstanding, miscommunication, and other conflicts between project-affected people and the project, will be high due to higher incidences of social and environmental issues. This study was completed by applying mix method of research where quantitative research was conducted through a survey among local people of Makalu Rural Municipality (MRM) of Sankhuwasabha and a case interview was done with the chairman of the same Rural Municipality. The study has revealed that local radios and public meetings are the most recommended mediums that participants expected to support the project in properly disseminating project-related information to local people. This article suggests that AHPP should disseminate information about project activities mainly through local radios and public meetings. This study also concludes that the project developer is not providing sufficient information about project activities to local people, which is also a source of misunderstanding between the two sides.

Socio-cultural Perspective of Senior Citizens Health Status in Nepal

This study examines the elderly people’s health status differentials according to selected background variables on the basis of Ageing Survey 2014. The general objective of the study is to identify the health status of elderly people in socio-cultural perspective. This study examined the associations of different twelve socio-cultural factors with combination of health outcome (Good or Bad) in older age by applying the cross tables, Chi squire test and binary logistic regression analysis. These variables are selected on the basis of theoretical and empirical studies sighted in the literature reviews. This research is find out only three major socio-cultural factors that make variation determine in the health status of elderly people in Nepal. General literacy status does not impact the elderly health situation in Nepal so high level education need to elderly to improve health status of elderly. Highly appreciating and follow up elderly advices help to increase health status of elderly so it should be utilized in most societies of Nepal. Only Kirat religion elderly are found to be in good health condition than Hindu religion. So other religions of Nepal have not significant impact on health status of elderly compare to Hindu religion.

Teachers' Mindset on Gender Responsive Pedagogy (GRP) in Mathematics Classroom

The purpose of this study was to analyze mathematics teachers' mindset regarding GRP practices in their classroom set up and classroom activity at secondary school level. The respondents were 120 mathematics teachers (106 male, 14 female), who were teaching mathematics at grade IX and X and were selected randomly. The participants were from three districts: Kathmandu, Sindhuli, and Chitwan of Province Three of Nepal. Cross-sectional Survey design was employed for this study. Self- developed questionnaire was considered as the data collection tool. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (Mean and Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (One Sample t-test). The result of the study indicated that secondary level mathematics teachers are practicing GRP on classroom set up and classroom activity. However, they did not give more time and effort for girls for learning mathematics and low practice of group work for cooperative learning, which is important for reducing gender bias and empower girls in learning mathematics. The Government of Nepal should provide teachers GRP awareness training about how to practice GRP in classroom through policy and changing concept in school curriculum and promote positive mindset towards GRP practice.

Financial Analysis of the Private Organic Farm: Sanga Agro Farm

The study was regulated to find out the financial profitability of private organic farm of Sanga, Kavre. The study is based on both primary and secondary sources of data. The collected data using interview were analyzed by presenting them on table and interpreted through Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) in 10 percent discount rate. For this, all figures were converted into Net Present Value (NPV) of Nepalese rupees. The findings of the study showed that the BCR was greater than one such as 1.47 ratios (BCR>1). The BCR value showed that the farm has contributed to increase more profit of owner by selling their farm’s products. The project of organic items: beans and garden cress was able to produce fresh items, provide space for employment. These organic products supported human health, soil health, and maintained conducive environment.