Earlier this month, I had the privilege of participating in a two-day DACUM (Developing A Curriculum) workshop organized by the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). The focus: designing a vocational curriculum that addresses the growing challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) in Nepal. As an individual expert with a background in solid waste management, circular economy systems, and policy advocacy, I joined a multidisciplinary group of professionals working across Nepal’s waste landscape.
Why E-Waste Deserves a Dedicated Curriculum
Nepal generates approximately 28,000 metric tons of e-waste annually, yet lacks a formal infrastructure for collection, recycling, and safe disposal. This gap poses serious environmental and health risks, especially in urban centers where informal handling is common. CTEVT’s initiative to embed e-waste management into technical education is a timely and strategic move—one that could empower future technicians, electricians, and urban service providers with the tools to address this silent crisis.
A Collaborative DACUM Process
The DACUM methodology allowed us to collectively identify the core competencies required for e-waste professionals in Nepal. Over two days, we mapped out:
- Essential knowledge areas: Types of e-waste, hazardous components, and lifecycle impacts
- Practical skills: Safe dismantling, segregation, and handling techniques
- Ethical and legal dimensions: Data privacy, informal sector dynamics, and policy gap
- Career pathways: Roles for certified recyclers, technicians, and sustainability advocates
Drawing from my own research—including a recent case study on e-waste awareness among urban planning students at Kathmandu University—I emphasized the need to address the “knowledge-awareness-practice” gap. Even well-informed individuals often lack access to safe disposal options, leading to harmful practices like hoarding or discarding electronics with household waste.
Looking Ahead
Participating in this DACUM workshop reaffirmed my belief that education is a cornerstone of sustainable urban development. By embedding e-waste literacy into vocational training, we’re laying the foundation for cleaner cities, healthier communities, and a more circular economy.
As an individual contributor to this initiative, I’m proud to have helped shape a curriculum that could transform how Nepal manages its electronic waste—one technician, one classroom, and one community at a time.
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