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Here is an article by Janet Pettit after a visit to Gorkha in August 1997 where she taught conversational English to students of the campus.

In August 1998 the campus consisted of:

The teaching block - two single storey buildings separated by a walkway off which were doors to classrooms, an administration office and a staffroom. These had dirt floors and the roofs were made of corrugated metal. There were 6 classrooms with benches for the students facing a raised platform on which was the teacher’s table and a blackboard (chalk and a board rubber were collected from the staffroom before the lesson and returned there afterwards) the only light came from windows along one wall.

The staffroom was similar to the classrooms and had a mat on the floor and long ‘refectory’ tables with office chairs, on the walls were photographs of founders and benefactors. Near these buildings there was a kitchen where tea and snacks were prepared in term time. At the other end were 2 toilets, which had a water supply but this was not functioning at the time.   

The library block - an impressive building, constructed in 1996.On the ground floor was the main library with shelving containing a good supply of books, many of which had been donated in England and sent out by Joy Leighton in 1995. Also on the ground floor, was the office of the campus chief, Mohan Shrestha. Between these was an impressive foyer with a staircase leading up to a room on the first floor where reference material was kept and which also served as the office of the campus librarian.

During August 1998 work was begun to build a road up to the campus and to add an extra storey to one of the buildings in the teaching block.

The courses of study are set and examined by Tribhuvan University, Kathmandhu, Mohan Shrestha, the campus chief, is a member of the University Senate. Students at the campus have passed exams in various subjects at the secondary level. They study for Proficiency Certificate level and Diploma level in business studies, commercial English, English literature and grammar. Equivalent study in U.K. would be at a 6thform or Tertiary College.

The usual teaching method is ‘chalk and talk,’ the students’ learning at earlier ages is very much by rote and through chanting and their aims are to pass exams and obtain qualifications. As a result classes have a formal air and there is little class participation. 

The students’ ages are from 16 upwards, they wish to use the qualifications obtained here in their careers or for university entrance. All castes study together.The classes are mixed but the students segregate themselves - boys on one side of the class and girls on the other, girls are particularly reluctant to join in or express opinions. They are hardworking and conscientious, some pupils at the conversation classes, arranged out of school time, walked for 2 hours to attend a lesson lasting an hour.

Study fees are paid by the students’ families. Several students are sponsored by European benefactors.