IBM School Program Officially Begins in Nepal
A new school-level technology education initiative has formally begun in Nepal with the launch of the IBM School Program. The program has been introduced by Asian E-Learning Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with global technology company IBM and Transneuron Technologies, based in Bengaluru, India.
According to Subodh Tripathi, Managing Director of Asian E-Learning Pvt. Ltd., the program was officially launched on Monday at St. Xavier’s School in Godavari, Lalitpur. He said the plan to bring the IBM School Program to Nepal had been announced around one and a half years ago, but its official rollout took time because of staff training and other necessary preparations.
Tripathi also said that the program was launched on the same day at Cosmos College of Management and Technology. He explained that one reason for the delay was the need to align the course with the beginning of the academic session.
What the IBM School Program Includes
The IBM School Program is designed for students from Grades 5 to 12. It covers subjects such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cybersecurity.
He said each course is expected to run for 40 to 60 hours, depending on the grade level.
The overall structure of the IBM program has been divided into three stages: Explorer, Discoverer, and Innovator.
At the Explorer stage, students are introduced to technology in a way that builds curiosity and interest. After completing this level, they are expected to gain basic knowledge of AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity.
At the Discoverer stage, students move toward a deeper understanding of these technologies. By the time they reach the Innovator level, they are expected to develop their own ideas and turn them into practical projects.
Focus on Skills and Innovation
Tripathi said that children today need to become familiar with technology from an early age. He explained that the goal of the program is for students who begin from Grade 5 to be capable of creating innovations based on their own ideas by the time they reach the Plus Two level.
He said the initiative was introduced at a time when Nepal’s education system remains heavily focused on certificates. According to him, the program aims to provide students not only with academic credentials, but also with practical skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.
School Shark Tank Plan
He also shared that there is a plan to introduce a School Shark Tank model for students who want to build projects and move toward entrepreneurship while still at the secondary level.
This concept is intended to help students present their ideas in a format similar to the reality television model of Shark Tank and seek support for developing them further.
Schools will be able to offer the IBM School Program as an extracurricular activity. To run the course, schools will need to allocate around one to one and a half hours per week.
Tripathi said the course has been designed for Grades 5 through 12, meaning schools can choose to implement the full program at once.
Course Delivery at Higher Grades
For the time being, the materials taught in Grades 9 and 10 will also be used for students in Grades 11 and 12.
He explained that students first need to build a strong foundation. For that reason, the same basic curriculum will initially be taught at the Plus Two level as well. However, students who have already progressed through the IBM courses from lower grades will study more advanced content once they reach higher levels.
Teacher Training and Mentoring
The program will be delivered by computer teachers already working in the schools. These teachers will first receive training from IBM experts and will then teach the students themselves.
It has been stated that IBM experts will also provide remote mentoring at different stages of the program. The final evaluation will also be conducted by IBM experts.
Fee Structure and Access
The monthly fee for the program is expected to range from Rs 850 to Rs 2,100 per student.
Tripathi said schools may also choose to run the course only for a specific level or class. However, in such cases, there must be at least 100 students.
He added that the course can also be introduced in community schools. According to him, the plan is to expand access to technology-related learning beyond private institutions. If community schools show interest, discussions can be held with IBM regarding concessions.
Courses Beyond School Education
Tripathi said IBM has also introduced various programs for bachelor’s and master’s level students.
In addition, courses such as AI for Media and AI for Doctors are available for learners who have not studied technology-related subjects.
IBM is known as the company that built the world’s first personal computer. The company has secured millions of patents. It also developed the Watson supercomputer, and six of its scientists and researchers have received Nobel Prizes.
