At This Nepali College, AI Isn’t Banned: It’s Encouraged in the Classroom

साउन ५, २०८२ १३:३१

Kathmandu: Before the internet, students relied entirely on teachers and books to learn. Libraries were the only source of knowledge outside the classroom. Today, however, students turn to AI tools like ChatGPT and other sources like Google, YouTube for answers often more than they do to teachers.

Rudra Pandey, founder of the Deerwalk Group, calls ChatGPT “a library of thousands of PhDs.” He acknowledges the skepticism that surrounds new technologies, comparing it to when libraries were first introduced. “At that time too, people questioned the role of teachers,” he says. “They thought everyone would go to the library to read, what will teachers do now.”

Founder of Deerwalk is Dr. Rudra Raj Pandey

Similar doubts have now emerged about artificial intelligence (AI). Critics worry that it may hinder creativity. Some institutions have even banned students from using AI tools. But Pandey argues that AI has made access to knowledge remarkably easy. “It’s like a tsunami,” he says. “Now, knowledge equivalent to a PhD is at your fingertips. It can answer queries right after you ask it.” He believes schools and colleges should embrace this wave instead of resisting it.

At Deerwalk Siphal School and Deerwalk Institute of Technology, AI is already being used in classrooms. Students in grade 11 are learning how to use various AI tools, guided by the creative team of Hamro Patro. Pandey is also the chair of the board at Hamro Patro.

Anand Maharjan, Creative Manager of Hamro Patro, says they’ve started AI training for over 35 newly enrolled students. For the past two weeks, they’ve been learning how to use AI for content creation and video production. “This generation picks up AI skills faster than expected,” he says. Students are learning to create photos, write stories, and develop marketing materials using prompts on ChatGPT and similar tools. They’re also learning how to generate videos, add voiceovers, edit podcasts, and more. They have been mainly using free tools instead of premium due to wider accessibility.

Ujjwal Poudel, Principal of Deerwalk Siphal School, stresses that teachers must also be equipped with AI knowledge. He says, “If teachers know how to use AI properly, they can save time preparing lesson plans, grading papers, and shift focus to creative teaching.”. The school is now training teachers to use AI in their daily tasks.

At Deerwalk College, an “AI Studio” is also in its final stage of development. According to Assistant Principal Samjhana Pokharel, students will intern at the studio and gain hands-on AI experience. International tutors will lead the sessions.

Samjhana Pokhrel, Vice President of Academics Affairs at Deerwalk Institute of Technology

Customized AI Tools for Learning

Deerwalk is also developing a customized version of ChatGPT tailored for its curriculum. Unlike standard ChatGPT, which does not adapt to different academic levels, this custom model will provide answers appropriate to a student’s grade. For example, the concept of "force" appears in both grade 6 and PhD-level physics, but the explanation needed at each level differs vastly. Deerwalk's AI will reference its own textbooks and materials so that a grade 11 student gets answers suitable to their level of understanding.

Pokharel also shared that the AI tool is being used in exam preparation. The physics question paper for a recent internal exam was generated using their custom AI, and similar tools will be used for other subjects. She believes this will discourage teachers from repeating old questions and push them to create more original and effective assessments. Human verification will still be done to review the final question sets.

A New Model of Teaching with AI

Deerwalk’s classrooms follow a unique approach. Students are first asked to complete tasks without using AI. Then, they repeat the same task with AI tools to improve their output. “This method helps them understand how AI can enhance their work,” says Pandey.

Exams are also being redesigned. In a 100-mark exam, 60 marks will be based on traditional written exams. The remaining 40 will test how well students can use AI to revise and enhance their written answers. Pandey believes this model builds students’ critical thinking and analytical skills.

AI will also be part of daily classroom learning. After a lesson, students will be asked to see what AI has to say on the same topic. For example, after a lesson on the "Animal Kingdom" in grade 7, students will use AI to get a brief explanation. “Hearing another perspective keeps them engaged,” Pandey says.

How AI Will Be Used in the Classroom

At Deerwalk Siphal School, students are first asked to complete assignments without using AI. Then, they repeat the same task, this time using AI, to improve their work. “This helps students understand how to refine their work through better prompts and thoughtful use of AI,” says Rudra Pandey.

The school is also planning a new two-phase exam model. In a 100-mark exam, students will first complete a 60-mark section in the traditional, supervised format. Then, for the remaining 40 marks, they’ll be asked to enhance their original answers using AI tools. This approach, Pandey says, is designed to develop students’ analytical thinking and teach them how AI can support, not replace, their ideas.

Deerwalk Siphal School

AI is also becoming part of daily classroom instruction. After a lesson, students are encouraged to use AI to explore the same topic further. For example, if a class 7 teacher teaches about the “Animal Kingdom,” students are then asked to prompt AI for a short explanation of the same subject. “When AI offers another perspective on what was taught, students stay engaged and interested,” Pandey says.

“Let’s Learn to Embrace AI, Not Run from It”

While some critics claim AI is killing creativity, Pandey sees it differently. He believes AI enhances creativity by helping students bring their ideas to life. But he emphasizes the importance of teaching students how to use it wisely. “If we don’t acknowledge the need for AI and guide its use, plagiarism and misuse will only increase,” he warns.

Pandey notes that some institutions have banned AI but students are using it anyway, often without proper understanding. That’s why, at Deerwalk, teachers guide students in ethical and effective AI use.

While Deerwalk integrates AI into its internal assessments, it also ensures that students are fully prepared to take traditional exams set by government agencies. Pandey believes both approaches are necessary. But he urges other educational institutions and the government to keep up with the times. “AI is the future,” he says. “There’s no choice but to accept it.

Deerwalk Institute of Technology