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Societal Stigma and the Caregiver’s Dilemma in Inclusive School Settings
Full text linkThe study explores the impact of societal stigma on caregivers in inclusive school settings in Nepal, highlighting the emotional exhaustion, isolation, and disengagement experienced by those raising neurodiverse children despite progressive educational policies. Using narrative inquiry, the study shows how affiliate stigma, or stigma experienced by association, undermines the wellbeing of caregivers, leading to internalized shame and participate less in support networks. The study offers culturally specific insight into how institutional barriers and deeply held beliefs perpetuate stigma and hinder the progress of inclusive education. Based on the lived experiences of caregivers and educators working in inclusive schools, the study advocates for stigma-informed practices and integrated mental health support. It also assesses Nepali educational resources for caregivers, identifying policy gaps and highlighting the impact of stigma on inclusive education. Finally, the study offers implications for improvements such as enhanced institutional support for caregivers, the creation of safe emotional spaces, and culturally sensitive awareness campaigns to strengthen caregivers' resilience and promote equitable, inclusive education
Exploring Chakra Model of Knowing, Becoming, and Valuing
Full text linkThis introspective inquiry navigates onto-epistemological underpinnings and possibilities by embracing interconnected ways of knowing, becoming and valuing based on the chakra paradigm informed by Eastern wisdom contemplative traditions through the lens of critical spirituality. I unfold the phenomenology of learning and my embodied educational experiences nurtured and enriched by writing, reflecting and questioning my thoughts, beliefs, values, and assumptions, thereby exploring possibilities of epistemic humility. I theorize and philosophize the process of constructing knowledge by incorporating experiences and stories of my struggles and emotional resilience, thereby developing a living educational theory grounded in my contexts (but not limited to). The blend of epistemologies from Western-induced paradigms and Eastern Wisdom Traditions via the lens of critical spirituality informs a deeper and critical engagement to envision a living educational theory for creating a better school that ensures meaningful learning ambience by cultivating curiosity and nurturing critical and creative thinking of learners. 
Language challenges in earthquake science communication through mass media in Nepal
Full text linkThe occurrence of earthquakes and the ongoing construction of structures without following building code have made immediate effective earthquake communication necessary in Nepal. Across the country, government and nongovernment authorities use different mass media channels to deliver earthquake-related communication to the public. Likewise, people depend on mass media as their source of information about related disasters and safety measures for various reasons. Nepali media are still a powerful information source and suitable for crisis communication in Nepal. The Gorkha earthquake hit Nepal in 2015, causing heavy losses of infrastructures and casualties. The disaster exposed a communication gap between science and society and indicated the need for an improved science communication strategy tailored to the Nepali context. Hence, this study aims to detect specific linguistic aspects of this potential gap between science and society, analyzing the frequency and impact of problematic linguistic features, namely English words, jargons, and complex structures in Nepali texts used to communicate earthquake information. A questionnaire survey was initially done on the perspectives of house owners and construction workers. Only a small percentage of participants (19.1%) ever grasped the information given to them about earthquakes. The majority of them blamed their understanding problems on the communicators' use of jargon, technical terms, and communication style. Then, quantitative content analysis was carried out on the earthquake-related articles written by the experts and published in the Gorkhapatra, a government national daily, from 2015 to 2023. The quantitative content analysis of newspaper articles revealed frequent use of English terminology, technical words (jargons), complicated sentences, and passive voice. It implied that the linguistic problem of inaccessible science communication is significant, if not entirely, due to the usage of English terminology, technical words (jargon), and complicated sentence structures coupled with the prevalence of passive structures. Linguistic standards may be required to be adopted by science communicators for successful communication to empower communities to be better informed and prepared at large
English Language Teachers’ Experience of Implementing Flipped Classroom
Full text linkThe study explores the experiences of four English language teachers in integrating the flipped classroom in a resource-limited context. Within the interpretive paradigm and adopting a narrative research method, the study presents the challenges faced by teachers in preparing educational materials, accessing technology, and dealing with inadequate infrastructure. It also discusses obstacles faced by teachers due to technology and training. The study's findings suggest that more teacher training and development programs focusing on access to technology are needed for the better implementation of the flipped classroom in Nepal. Despite limited access to knowledge, skills, and resources, the study concluded that educators have successfully adapted a flipped classroom model that meets the needs of the local education system, thereby promoting student engagement and active learning
Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Using SMC on Wellbeing of Students Enduring Difficult Situations
Full text linkThis study examines how disrupted intrapersonal communication from conflict and migration affects student well-being and proposes the Sadharanikaran School Counseling Technique (SSCT) to foster emotional connectedness (sahridayata) using the Sadharanikaran Model of Communication (SMC). The study is conducted in two phases within a five-year interval using a longitudinal time frame. The first role of intrapersonal communication in the human development of the research participants facing difficult life situations, such as conflict and international migrant workers leaving behind families, is articulated using the theoretical framework of SMC. The first phase of the study was conducted in 2019, and the second phase was conducted in 2025. It attempts to trace the effect of Maoist insurgency (1996 to 2006) leading to international migrant workers in the wellbeing of children of those families who are studying from school to university level. In the first phase, the findings of the study show that these children have self-harming tendencies due to disconnection from parents and overindulgence in digital media, hindering intrapersonal communication. This has led to drug abuse, suicidal tendencies, hyper-reaction, and anxiety in them. Institutional intervention of family, school, rehab, and other support mechanisms is an urgent need to ensure their well-being, yet the stakeholders seem disconnected from them. The second phase of the study attempts to bring some theoretical insights to resolve this issue for the well-being of research participants using communication as a tool. Sadharanikaran School Counseling Technique (SSCT), derived from the Sadharanikaran Media Analysis Technique (SMAT), is proposed here to assess the Sahridayata between the students experiencing difficult life conditions and the school counselor who supports them to cope with it in a teaching-learning context
Women Teachers' Identity Transformation: An Autoethnography
No full textIn this autoethnography, I, Sharada Khanal, as the first author, explore my transformative journey as a woman English teacher through personal experiences and educational milestones. This autoethnographic narrative analyzes each narrative account through the theoretical lens of dialogical self-theory to interpret the connections between my (first author's) narratives and my identity transformation in relation to different I-positions. Evocative autoethnography in research enables me to apply flexible modes of inquiry derived from my life experiences, creating a more equitable and supportive environment for women educators. This study not only projects my professional growth but also offers a poignant reflection on the broader challenges and accomplishments women face in academic circles
Comparative analysis of time series forecasting for Nepal Airlines passenger data: ARIMA vs. LSTM model
Full text linkThis paper presents a comparative study of time series forecasting methods applied to Nepal Airlines passenger data, focusing on the ARIMA and LSTM models. The study aims to analyze the forecasting performance of these models and identify the most accurate approach for predicting future airline passenger numbers. The ARIMA model captures linear trends and seasonality, while the LSTM neural network is employed for its ability to model complex patterns and non-linear relationships within the data. Both models are evaluated using standard performance metrics, and the results provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each forecasting technique. The results indicate that ARIMA provided more accurate forecasts with MAE: 0.74 and RMSE: 1.78, compared to LSTM having MAE: 0.87 and RMSE: 2.02, underscoring its suitability for datasets with linear trends and seasonality
Analysis of influencing factors of e-wallet adoption in Nepal
Full text linkThe rapid growth of digital payment options, particularly E-wallets, has transformed the financial landscape. This research study employs a quantitative approach to explore the critical determinants influencing the widespread adoption of E-wallets among users. The study hypothesizes six key factors driving E wallet adoption: ease of use, social influence, security, occupation, frequency of financial transactions, and literacy. A detailed survey was conducted to collect primary data from a diverse sample of E-wallet users, and quantitative analysis techniques, including descriptive analysis and correlation tests, were utilized to analyze the data. The results confirm the significant impact of these factors on users’ decisions to adopt E-wallets. Understanding the factors that influence E-wallet adoption is essential for aiming to enhance user experiences and encourage the widespread adoption of E-wallets in the digital payment ecosystem
A comprehensive review on structural behavior and mechanical performance of traditional timber joints in Patan durbar square
No full textTraditional timber construction represents a critical element of Nepalese architectural heritage, integrating cultural craftsmanship with essential structural design. As Nepal lies within a highly seismically active region, the performance of timber joints, which connect primary structural members, becomes paramount, since joint failure frequently precipitates the collapse of entire buildings. This review systematically examines various traditional timber joints employed in the Patan Durbar Square area, including lap, scarf, finger, tongue-and-groove, mortise-tenon, and timber-masonry connections, synthesizing current research on their structural behavior. Non‑destructive on‑site observations within Patan revealed a predominant reliance on half‑lap joints for beam lengthening, stop‑bladed scarf joints with pegs to prevent longitudinal slippage, occasional finger joints in columns due to material constraints, and tongue‑and‑groove joints used where beam depths required adjustment. A critical finding from the inspection is the pronounced lack of uniformity in joint dimensions and geometries; rather than adhering to standardized engineering principles, these connections were crafted according to immediate construction needs and the available timber sizes. This inherent variability suggests that the joints were conceived primarily to facilitate construction and sustain vertical loads, not to resist the complex, multidirectional forces generated by seismic events. Consequently, while these traditional interlocking geometries perform adequately under gravity loads, they often lack the requisite stiffness, strength, and reliability to withstand strong ground shaking. Experimental data corroborate that the bending capacity of such jointed members is only a fraction (often less than 30-40%) of that of solid timber beams, rendering them particularly vulnerable in high‑moment regions. A thorough understanding of these geometric irregularities and mechanical limitations is therefore indispensable for engineers and conservators aiming to preserve these heritage structures while enhancing their resilience against future earthquakes through informed, scientifically‑grounded retrofitting strategies
Enhancing disease prediction from limited datasets
Full text linkIn this paper, the enhancement of disease prediction accuracy for a limited dataset is explored. Text representation models such as ClinicalBERT and TF-IDF vectorizer are utilized to generate text embeddings, which are then paired with robust classification algorithms (estimators), including Random Forest, XGBoost, and linear models like the Passive Aggressive Classifier. While embeddings of advanced text representation models combined with robust classification algorithms are expected to yield satisfactory results, this research focuses on comparing two different text representation models and how the text embeddings they generate perform when combined with estimators in predicting diseases. Additionally, the compatibility of text representation models with classification algorithms, and its impact on accuracy for disease prediction in the limited dataset is examined