P4C Comes to Kathmandu

The final day of our programme and one of the most important to us. Ever since we read Sujeev Shakya's book Unleashing Nepal, we have searched for and planned for some way to introduce ethics and values into the teaching of our schools. The search ended when we discovered the technique of P4C and met the UK organisation SAPERE. Over a week ago we ran a workshop on Values to introduce the concept at a personal and school level. Yesterday we ran a workshop on P4C to train the teachers in the practical process to use with children. Essentially a non directive facilitation technique P4C uses various stimuli such as images/photos, objects, stories, games to promote a discussion amongst a group of children. The stimuli are chosen to elicit philosophical questions particularly in addition to factual ones. One particular session involved a photo of some garbage/rubbish, a hot topic in Kathmandu and the session developed from the practical aspects of recycling and creating more dumping sites to eventually a REAL P4C session about values such as respect for the environment, personal responsibility, citizenship and more such concepts. At this point the whole tone of the discussion became quite different, much more reflective, more sombre even but not depressing. Just a stark realisation that it was in their own hands to solve! Soon it was time for them to "have a go" at facilitating a session and a combination of Anil and Babita did exceptionally well in being the first volunteers probably to EVER run a P4C session in Nepal.