I built my first science project with nothing but YouTube and frustration. In a world driven by science and technology, my school didn’t even mention robotics. During my time at school, I spent more than 15 hours a day sitting in classrooms, being taught the best strategies—how to memorize answers, how to present them in exams, and ultimately how to secure a flawless GPA. At the very end, we were even taught how to cheat in exams—not directly, but cleverly enough to boast a 100 percent pass rate at school. But behind those glowing numbers was a harsh reality: over 90 percent of the students lost all interest in science.
My friends even told me the SEE would be the last time they would ever engage in the scientific field—not because of different interests, but because of frustration. We lacked practical education, we lacked skill-based learning, we lacked research exposure—and most of all, we lacked proper guidance. This isn’t the story of my school—it’s the story of most educational institutions across Nepal. In fact, it reflects a deep flaw in the entire education system.
Looking back, I often wonder how things could have been if we had been introduced to robotics early on—a subject that teaches not just science, but also creativity, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving. Robotics is a branch of engineering and computer science that involves designing and building machines that can sense, move, and respond using sensors and programming. These systems interact with the real world and provide hands-on experience in innovation and critical thinking from a young age. “Even a simple robot that avoids obstacles or follows a line can spark a light of wonder in a child”.
While robotics may sound technical or expensive, the truth is it doesn’t require a rocket scientist or a massive budget. With affordable kits and open-source platforms now available, it has become one of the most effective and accessible ways to improve practical education and expose students to global tech trends. Yet when we mention robotics to teachers and parents, it is often seen as a luxury. “Seeing robotics as a luxury today will cost our future innovators tomorrow.”
The global job market is rapidly shifting towards Artificial Intelligence and Automation. In this new era, basic knowledge in computer programming and AI is crucial—no matter what field you’re from or what field you want to pursue. While coding was once reserved for higher education, it’s increasingly being introduced in K–12 classrooms, even for children under the age of eight—especially in tech-innovator countries like the United States, China, Japan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, and Finland, where kindergarten coding is becoming common. “Nepal is failing to prepare its youth for the future by ignoring robotics education in early classrooms”.
The earlier children are introduced to robotics, the more naturally they develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. At a young age, the brain is wired to absorb complex ideas through play and experimentation—making grades 5 to 8 the perfect window to explore technology hands-on.Studies by Bers (2010), Eguchi (2014), and the OECD reveal that early robotics education enhances computational thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, and iterative testing. Most importantly, it boosts confidence and interest in STEM, while also building strong teamwork and communication skills, making STEM education inclusive for children from diverse backgrounds
Many students in Nepal lose interest in science due to rote-based learning rather than experiential learning or problem-solving. Robotics introduces practical, hands-on learning that can reignite curiosity. It turns our passive education into active learning and helps align our classrooms with global trends and innovation.
In many European countries, coding is often seen as a path to future careers—a tool for building resilience, confidence, motivation, and a strong leadership mindset. It sharpens problem analysis, logical thinking, and analytical reasoning in young learners. If our youth are not equipped with these skills early on, they may face unemployment and irrelevance in tomorrow’s digital economy. “Using this, they may be able to create their own projects to demonstrate in science exhibitions, rather than copying ideas from YouTube and Internet.”
Introducing robotics in Nepal comes with critical challenges. First, the most significant—lack of awareness. Many people, including high-ranking officials and school administrators, still view robotics as a luxury and irrelevant to traditional careers. Second, there is a severe lack of infrastructure—many public and even private schools continue to struggle with basic facilities like science labs, digital instruments (projectors, TVs), electricity, and internet access.
As of 2021, fewer than 20 percent of government schools in Nepal had internet access, and only 12 percent had both computers and connectivity. Third, teachers are rarely trained in programming, digital tools, robotics, or AI. So even if kits are available, there’s often no one qualified to guide students. Lastly, the national curriculum is rigid and slow to adapt, with no structured policy to introduce robotics in primary or middle school.
That being said, overcoming these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. First, the government should invest in STEM education by establishing robotics labs in schools and colleges, while also empowering research and innovation. Public–private partnerships with organizations actively contributing to this field—such as Engineers Vlogs, Robotech Nepal, and the Robotics Association of Nepal—can reduce costs and support curriculum development. With proper planning and execution, mobile robotics labs (vans) can be deployed to rural areas where resources are limited. Ultimately, the most powerful and effective solution lies in raising awareness and empowering both educators and institutions to embrace this transformation.
From this, I conclude: without the urgent integration of robotics education into the national curriculum, Nepal risks leaving its youth behind in a technology-driven world. By investing in teacher training, affordable kits, and curriculum updates today, “we can empower curious minds to become bold innovators—and lead the future of Nepal”.
Siddhant Pokhrel
St Xavier’s College
