Along a winding path at Yechen Central School, once-fallow fields have given way to rows of pomegranates, mangoes and guava trees, each heavy with promise. This transformation isn’t merely a beautification project; it’s the heart of a pioneering agriculture and horticulture programme that is redefining education at the school—and potentially beyond.
From Wasteland to Learning Lab
What was once overgrown scrubland has been meticulously cleared and enriched by students, who have turned more than an acre of idle school grounds into a productive orchard. Armed with spades, wheelbarrows and, perhaps most importantly, curiosity, these young growers aren’t just planting seeds—they’re sowing skills that will last a lifetime.
“Our goal is to marry textbook theory with real-world practice,” explains Wang Norbu, the school’s focal agriculture teacher. “Here, students learn advanced techniques—like fruit thinning for uniform yield and integrated pest management—to ensure healthier orchards and healthier communities.”
Cultivating Community Resilience
For many students, the techniques they master on campus are a revelation. “At home, we simply heap manure around the tree’s roots,” admits Pema Choki, a programme member. “Now I understand the science behind proper compost placement and timing. I can’t wait to teach these methods back in my village.”
Programme captain Moenlam Dorji envisions even greater impact. “A well-managed fruit tree can feed a family for years,” he says. “By growing our own supply, we reduce dependence on imports and keep fresh produce in students’ hands.” Dorji plans to introduce his home community to the orchard’s practices, multiplying the project’s benefits.
Beyond the Classroom—and the Dinner Table
Revenue from harvests doesn’t just disappear into a school fund. Fresh fruits and vegetables are sold directly to the campus mess, offsetting food costs and funneling profits back to students as pocket money. “Those earnings buy essentials—pens, detergents, even uniforms,” says Norbu.
Meanwhile, the blossoming groves provide more than food and funds. The shaded canopies offer respite from the afternoon sun, inviting study groups to relocate outdoors and inspiring impromptu lessons beneath a mango tree. “These orchards have become our green classrooms,” remarks Choki, balancing a basket brimming with guavas.
A Growing Movement
Yechen Central’s programme exemplifies a nationwide shift toward experiential education. Schools around the country are recognizing that life skills—self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship, community engagement—are best learned outside the four walls of a classroom.
As more institutions follow suit, the seeds planted here in Pema Gatshel may blossom into a nationwide harvest of empowered, eco-savvy graduates. And for Yechen Central School, the fields of fruit trees are proof that the richest lessons often take root in the earth.
