BAGLUNG, May 18: Students of a community school in Baglung have been displaying enhanced learning capacity since the establishment of a library in their school. Prior to the opening of the library, the students had nowhere to go to quench their thirst for more knowledge.
A class six student of Rudre Peepal Secondary School, Sujan Bhandari says that the library has been a great help in learning about new topics. “We can read reference books as well as others that are not part of the syllabus,” he says.[break]
There are poems, story books, dramas, books on general knowledge, biographies of national and international personalities, jokes, and dictionaries available in the library. Reading the various books is expected to expand their knowledge.
One can find the students in the library during their free period. In the absence of the teacher, they study in the library and use their time productively. The library teacher has developed the library as a place for practical exercise. The school has even designated a period for library class. The principal, Mamata Sharma, believes that with the introduction of the library, students have improved their reading habits. “The students are making utmost use of the library,” says Sharma,
It’s not just the students of Rudre Peepal Secondary School; Kopil Kunwar from Bhimgithe Higher Secondary School, who earlier went out with friends to play during free periods, rushes to the library these days. He is now more interested in reading books than wasting time chatting with friends or playing. “It’s more satisfying if I read,” he says.
Dilip Poudel/Republica
Students of Rudre Peepal Secondary School study in their school library.
These days, both students and teachers are attracted to the libraries. With the support of Gaja Yuwa Club, Baglung and Room to Read, libraries have been installed at schools in Lekhani, Hatiya, Banpa, Malika, Pala, Bhimpokhara, Dhamja, Tangram, Bihu, Resh, Tityang, Bhakunde, Rayadada in the district. Parmanand Kandel, Chairman of Gaja Yuwa Club, says, “Though we setting up libraries as an experiment, now we’ve expanded the project,” says Kandel, “Now, every school in the district wants us to help them establish a library, but it’s difficult to cater to everyone.”
Tilak Silwal, Section Officer at District Education Office in Baglung, says that the library has helped improve the state of education. “Reference books are being utilized in the library,” he says. “Though not every school has a library as of now, we can see the opening of libraries in some as a good sign.”
Students from lower secondary and secondary levels are allowed to take books home. Primary students enjoy reading their books in the library.
Teachers say most primary students prefer reading story books. “Little children love reading stories and poems,” says Sagar Kharel from Bhimgithe Higer Secondary School. “There are different types of books to suit the students’ interest and capacity.”
Related story
Here’s Why: Libraries are important in our digital world
