How Nepal's stunning beauty could encourage kids to stay in school

By Nell Lewis

Updated 1509 GMT (2309 HKT) January 8, 2019

Vertical University, an education project in rural Nepal, was set up in 2015, with the aim of teaching students about nature and biodiversity.<br />
Photos:
Vertical University, an education project in rural Nepal, was set up in 2015, with the aim of teaching students about nature and biodiversity.
Hide Caption
1 of 16
Ganga Limbu (front) is a youth fellow for Vertical University. Since beginning work for the project three years ago, she has been trained in conservation, filming, computing and design.
Photos:
Ganga Limbu (front) is a youth fellow for Vertical University. Since beginning work for the project three years ago, she has been trained in conservation, filming, computing and design.
Hide Caption
2 of 16
Vertical University's curriculum is based on indigenous knowledge, and its professors are local farmers, herders and fisherman. <br />
Photos:
Vertical University's curriculum is based on indigenous knowledge, and its professors are local farmers, herders and fisherman.
Hide Caption
3 of 16
Some farmers teach the use of medicinal plants to the next generation. Here a farmer holds the medicinal plant ghodtapre, traditionally used to treat skin irritation.
Photos:
Some farmers teach the use of medicinal plants to the next generation. Here a farmer holds the medicinal plant ghodtapre, traditionally used to treat skin irritation.
Hide Caption
4 of 16
Nepal's diverse habitats are home to a vast range of animals, from elephants and rhinos, to tigers and snow leopards.<br />
Photos:
Nepal's diverse habitats are home to a vast range of animals, from elephants and rhinos, to tigers and snow leopards.
Hide Caption
5 of 16
Vertical University transports lessons outdoors, changing the concept of a classroom completely.
Photos:
Vertical University transports lessons outdoors, changing the concept of a classroom completely.
Hide Caption
6 of 16
Vertical University aims to sensitize students to the environmental challenges surrounding them. They believe a direct, sensorial form of learning is more impactful and engaging than typical rote learning.
Photos:
Vertical University aims to sensitize students to the environmental challenges surrounding them. They believe a direct, sensorial form of learning is more impactful and engaging than typical rote learning.
Hide Caption
7 of 16
Outdoor classrooms are called "learning grounds," essentially micro-conservation hubs in varying climates and elevations. <br />
Photos:
Outdoor classrooms are called "learning grounds," essentially micro-conservation hubs in varying climates and elevations.
Hide Caption
8 of 16
So far, Vertical University has protected 300 acres of land in the form of 33 learning grounds. This benefits endangered species such as pangolins, snow leopards and red pandas.<br />
Photos:
So far, Vertical University has protected 300 acres of land in the form of 33 learning grounds. This benefits endangered species such as pangolins, snow leopards and red pandas.
Hide Caption
9 of 16
Within the learning grounds, Vertical University aims to teach 195 place-based modules, such as the water cycle or wetland filtration. <br />
Photos:
Within the learning grounds, Vertical University aims to teach 195 place-based modules, such as the water cycle or wetland filtration.
Hide Caption
10 of 16
A group of students take part in an exercise about forest interrelations in the Pragati Chowk learning ground, Yangshila.
Photos:
A group of students take part in an exercise about forest interrelations in the Pragati Chowk learning ground, Yangshila.
Hide Caption
11 of 16