The aims and objectives of children keep changing. They are influenced easily. Their ambitions range from becoming a pilot to a doctor, an actor, and more. Over time, these aspirations keep changing. They enjoy such things.
Some people meet their childhood dreams and aspirations on the other hand some people are deprived of such things due to their weak economic background and different family issues. Rabina Maharjan, 32, a principal of Kathmandu Manamaiju Secondary School, is among them. As a child, she sometimes dreamt of becoming a singer and sometimes a player.
She studied at Gyanodaya Secondary School, Bafal. During her school days, she used to actively participate in Extracurricular Activities. She used to sing pop songs, which she heard on TV and radio, among her friends.
She dreamt of becoming a pop singer. But shortly after dreaming of becoming a pop singer, she started to like karate. She joined a karate class as a part of ECA in her school. Then she began dreaming about becoming a popular karate player. However, due to family’s economic background, her dream could not come true.
Dropping her dream of becoming a karate player, Rabina Maharjan joined the teaching profession, to support her mother. As Maharjan was good at studies, she got an opportunity to teach at the same school where she studied.
Maharjan began teaching at the primary level and continued her studies too. As a teacher, she began understanding the importance of teaching and built a strong rapport with children. In her 13 years at Gyanodaya Secondary School, she taught mathematics, economics, accounts, marketing and Hamro Serofero.
In an exam of the Teachers Service Commission, she was selected as a mathematics teacher at the primary level. In 2017, as per the recommendation of the commission, she reached Chawadi Public Secondary School, Nuwakot. Students of that school were very poor at mathematics. They even didn’t have basic knowledge about the subject.
So, Maharjan adopted a practical methodology to teach students. By using the materials like vegetables, wood and grass, she taught mathematics, which resulted in effectiveness.
“This was the best methodology I could adopt to teach students who lacked basic knowledge, ” says Maharjan.
This teaching approach became so effective that some of the students even scored 90 marks in the examination, she adds.
After working for two years, she again passed the exam for the commission and began teaching accounts at the secondary level.
The turning point
Manamaiju Secondary School is the only community school in Tarakeswar Municipality-9. Maharjan started to teach at this school on August 12, 2019. Entering Manamaiju Secondary School was her turning point.
Maharjan’s creative and practical teaching approach not only improved students’ education but also brought positive change to their behaviour. Other teachers at the school also started to follow Maharjan’s teaching approach. The then principal Bhaktaman Maharjan, who was about to retire, found a suitable candidate to appoint the acting principal.
“There were other deserving teachers as well in the school, but Rabina Maharjan was one of those who had the potential to run the school effectively, ” says Bhaktaman Maharjan. Although he found the deserving person to appoint the principal of the school, he was worried due to political pressure and the risk of manipulation.
But as he had a right to appoint an acting principal, he did not step down from his decision. After Bhaktaman Maharjan decided to appoint Maharjan as a principal, After Bhaktaman Maharjan decided to appoint Maharjan as principal, he faced political pressure and criticism from senior teachers.
“Along with the political pressure the three teachers, who were senior to her, strongly protested against my decision, he recalls.” “Despite protests and political pressure, I stayed firm in prioritising students’ education quality.”
After Bhaktaman Maharjan appointed Maharjan the acting president on July 23, 2020, two of the three teachers were transferred.
Rabina Maharjan as a principal
Through her work and dedication, Maharjan proved herself as a well-qualified principal, especially to those who raised questions about her potential.
“The leadership position of the school is not just a job. One should have the capability to convince everyone, and Rabina had that skill,” says Bhaktaman Maharjan.
Manamaiju Secondary School managed to get the second-best position in the municipality with 91.53 per cent of students passing the SEE results of 2023. The school has seen the highest enrollment in its history. Maharjan attributes this success to the combined efforts of the teachers, guardians, students, and the management committee.
“I alone can not do anything. The equal efforts of everyone under my leadership made it possible,” says Maharjan.
Maharjan says Manamaiju Secondary School, which has over 900 students, is making every effort to create an environment where students can learn happily. Recognizing that long-term improvement in community schools is unlikely without community cooperation, efforts are being made to engage with the community and explain the importance of their support and collaboration with the school.
“We are also trying to instil a sense of belonging towards the school by reaching out to the community,” Maharjan says, “We are asking the locals to join hands for long-term education improvement.
According to her, efforts are being made to give opportunities to local people to work in school construction, maintenance, painting and others. As a result, at least 5 or 6 local students have been enrolled in each class.
She says that she has been working under the idea, “ Leadership is not a power but a responsibility. It is not a destination but a journey.”
Maharjan has proved her leadership qualities in a short period. Those who used to criticise her do not appreciate her.
