KATHMANDU, Jan 22: Generally speaking, the headmaster of any school creates an image in our mind of an old man, with gray hair, and a lot of experience. But a 21-year-old youth has become the principal of a school in Panchthar.
Saroj Shrestha, a permanent resident of Phalgunanda Rural Municipality Ward No 1 Bhogte, has become a principal at the age of 21. He is the principal of Shree Bal Bikas Basic School, where studies are conducted up to the fifth standard. He has been teaching in this school since November 2021. Shrestha became the principal on a contract basis in November 2021. He, nevertheless, holds a permanent license as a teacher in the lower secondary level from the Education Commission of Province 1. He became the principal on the initiative of teachers and management after the retirement of the principal before him.
The school led by Shrestha has five teachers and staff and 45 students. “We have written an application for one teacher. When he/she comes, there will be six teachers," 21-year-old principal Shrestha told Republica.
Shrestha’s appointment as principal
Speaking about his appointment, Shrestha said, "I have been working as a principal ever since I was appointed to the post, but I got the responsibility only after the retirement of the former principal." According to the rules, teachers on contract cannot be the school principal, but teachers and school management made me the principal.
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Shrestha’s educational qualification
Talking about his education, Shrestha said, "I was 20 years old when I became a teacher. I was born on February 21, 2001. I studied at Sri Tirtire Basic School till class five. I then pursued grades 6 to 10 with 58.79% marks from Sri Siddheshwari Secondary School and passed the 11th to 12th grades from Siddhadevi Secondary School, Umlawung Nawidada with 58% marks.”
In 2074 BS, Shrestha says he joined the undergraduate course at Mahendra Ratna Multiple Campus in Ilam and passed his graduation in 2078 with 62.23 percent marks. “Now I am preparing to study the master's degree.”
He says, "Because I am a teacher at a young age, some people say that I am hiding my real age." Shrestha is happy that he is the youngest teacher and headmaster among secondary-level teachers.
He added, "I didn't get an opportunity to study in a boarding school. When I studied in a government school in the village, I felt academically weak because I didn’t have much understanding of English. I felt inferior to face my friends because my compulsory subject was Nepali. I think that if I could have studied in private school, I would have learned English like my friends. However, it is wrong to assume that you will not achieve a higher position without studying in a private school.”
He says by teaching well, he can demonstrate his competence in his subject. He educates ignorant children. In addition to his teaching duties as a principal, he also needs to play the role of educational, financial, physical, and administrative head of the school.
After becoming a teacher, Shrestha said he has not been able to spend time with his friends. “Some of my friends have joined the British Army and the Indian Army, some have gone to work abroad, some are studying languages of different countries. As for myself, I have been sitting here. I am happy to stay in my country and get a job.”
According to him, there is a lot of difference in the works of the principal and teachers. At the heart of every school, the responsibility of problem solving lies with the headmaster.
According to Dil Kumar Angdembe, chairman of Bal Bikas Basic School Management Committee, Shrestha was made the principal because of his ability to solve the school's problems. "We have given him the responsibility because he has the ability to run the program," he said.
Chairman Angdembe added, "It's been two months since he was given the title." He is the principal on contract basis. He will go to another school after a couple of months.”
Angdembe said that Shrestha was made the headmaster with everyone's consent after the school principal retired.
The 21-year-old principal Shrestha added, “The main reason I am a teacher is because I have a goal. We, the people of the 21st century, are running after wealth, but I value respect and honor, and I find that in the teaching profession.”
Sharing his attraction towards this profession, he said, “This place is where you can learn and you can also teach others. I came to this field inspired by this thought, which makes my heart happy to give the light of knowledge to thousands of ignorant children. My father has extended great support in helping me join this field. He himself is in the teaching profession but he could not become a permanent teacher. I was inspired by my father's teaching skills and managed to attain this position.”
