Press Release

Ambassador, Editors, Celebrities and Over 70 other leaders visited rural public schools to teach children

US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, Singer Amrit Gurung from Nepthaya, Chief Editors and Editors of national dailies and weekly including My Republica’s Subash Ghimire, Media 9 Pvt. Ltd.’s Charu Chadda, Nagarik National Daily’s Guna Raj Luitel and Himalayan Times’ Prakash Rimal, media personality Malvika Subba and around 70 other leaders have been visiting public schools across Lalitpur and Sindhupalchowk and Dhanusa this week. They are teaching students of Teach For Nepal (TFN) Fellows for one day, under the ‘One Day in a Classroom’ initiative. Other visitors include celebrities like Malvika Subba and Filmmaker Deepak Rauniyar and author Nayan Raj Pandey, Chief Editors of many national dailies, Media Personalities, CEOs, entrepreneurs, young professionals, social activists, and artists. Additionally, Teach For Nepal Board Members and Alumni are also joining the visits that are taking place from Wednesday 13th December to Sunday, 17th December. The visits are happening at schools where Teach For Nepal Fellows are currently serving as teachers and community change agents.

“Many of the students in rural villages have never seen life outside of their village. Their life aspirations are limited to ongoing career trends within their communities such as going to Qatar to work or becoming a helper/driver on local bus or milk-trucks,” says Nawang Sherpa who served as a Fellow from 2014-16 in Simle, Lalitpur and currently works as Fundraising and Event Coordinator, Teach For Nepal. Meeting these leaders face-to-face will be inspirational to these children. Our students will learn more about the career choices that are available to them and a higher sense of possibilities irrespective of where they are born. Hearing from these personalities will open their eyes and broaden their horizons towards possibilities.”

On Wednesday, US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, who joined the visit and delivered a class at Buddha Secondary School in Tikabhairab of Southern Lalitpur shared, “I was a teacher for a day -- and interacted with bright, talented Nepali students at the annual Teach For Nepal’s “One Day in a Classroom” event.” Amrit Gurung, lead singer from Nepthaya, who also offered a class at Shree Ram Devi Secondary School and Jana Jagriti Secondary School in Sindhupalchowk expressed, “I have always had an immense respect for the teaching profession. It is one of the most difficult professions.”

Contemporary writer Nayan Raj Pandey, author of the popular book Loo, who visited Chandeshwari Secondary School in Simle, Lalitpur taught journal writing to the children. He stressed the importance of writing daily if they want to become a good writer in his class. The visits have been inspirational for the students and have provided a unique learning opportunity that the children wouldn’t otherwise have.

Ajaya B. Pradhan, Managing Director at Fluer Himalayan Limited, Aliana B Teplitz, US Ambassador to Nepal, Amartya Upadhyay, Branch Manager of Mega Bank, Bhuvan Dahal, CEO at Sanima Bank, Deepak Shrestha, Teach For Nepal supporter, Dependra Bajracharya who is an Independent Photo Journalist, Dibyesh Giri, CEO at Smart Tech, Dr. Bhawana Tamang, Dr. Jagadish C. Pokharel, Former Vice Chair of National Planning Commission, Kabir Ratna Tuladhar, Managing Director at Shell Lubricants Nepal, Kiran K. Shrestha, CEO at Rastriya Banijya Bank, Martina Voss, Program Manager at United Nations Volunteer, Medin Lamicchane,, Principal at Ullens School, Nayan Raj Pandey, Writer, Pramod Bhatta from Martin Chautari, Prativa Pandey, Research Scientist, Reshu Aryal Dhungana TFN Board member, Sagun Bir Singh Kansakar, CEO at Auto Part International, Salil Subedi, Musician and Theater Artist, Seema Golchha, Director of Samsung Electronics and Vice President of Zonta Club of Kathmandu, Shikher Prasai, Managing Director of Natraj Travel & Tours: Expertise: Travel and tourism, Shiwani Neupane, Director at Ambe Group of Companies, Usha Pokharel, Educationist and Author of several children books and Vishnu Kumar Agrawal, Managing Director at MAW Enterprise P. Ltd offered classes to children in Southern Lalitpur on Wednesday.

“I learned how I present myself is a part of my personality and it is an important part of who I am and where I get in life,” shared Sabina, of Mahakali Secondary School in Sindhupalchowk after listening to media personality, Malvika Subba. “Today, I was able to learn the importance of good journalism and how important is it be honest when reporting the news,” said Anish Tamang, grade 8 student, at Kalika Chetna Secondary School, Sindhupalchowk after the class with My Republica’s Subash Ghimire.  “Charu miss taught us the importance of continuous learning and provided us with self-confidence to work towards our dream,” added Maya Tamang, grade 9 student. Maya was taught by Charu Chadda, Editor at Media 9 Pvt. Ltd.

More leaders – Amrit Gurung, Lead Singer of Nepathya, Amuda Mishra, Executive Director at Ujyalo Foundation, Binaya Bohra, CEO at Vianet, Brijen Joshi, Co-Founder of Nepal Entrepreneur’s Hub, Charu Chadda, Editor at Media 9 Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Saroj Dhital, Guna Raj Luitel, Editor at Nagarik National Daily, Indira Rana Magar, Founder of PA Nepal, Kiran Shrestha, Manager at Nepalaya, Malvika Subba, Narottam Aryal, Director/Principal at King’s College, Prakash Rimal, Editor of Himalayan Times, Pranita Sapkota Rimal, Pravin Raj Joshi, Pukar Malla, Executive Director at Dayitwa, Rajeev Dhar Joshi, CEO of  Kathalaya, Rama K Regmee, Senior Journalist, Subash Ghimire, Editor at Republica National Daily, Sushil Khadka, Partner of Safal Partners, Sushil Mainali and CEO at Yeti Media House travelled and delivered classes on Thursday in Sindhupalchowk.

On Saturday more leaders travelled to Dhanusa and to rural Sindhupalchowk to deliver classes on Sunday – A group from Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Agriculture Entrepreneur, Karmath Dangol, Bhaskar Bhattarai, IT Specialist, Bhusan Tuladhar from UNHABITAT, Deepak Rauniyar, Director of the movie White Sun, Dr. Bishal Dhakal, Founder/Director of Health at Homes,  Founder of Helambu Livelihood Organization,  Mahesh Shakya , TFN Supporter, Managing Director at Ananya Holidays, Jimmy Lama, Mausham Shakya, Life coach at Meditation etc., Maya Gurung of Everest Women 7 Summits Eco-Action' team, Nanda K. Mandal, Founder/Director of  Women Development Advocacy Center, Nita Rana, Human Resources Head at Bajaj, Rajan Shrestha, TFN Board member, Shriju Pradhan, Deputy Director of Heritage and Tourism Department, KMC., Shyam Nayaran Shah from Bajaj with his team Bajaj Team, Sudharshan Ghimire, Editor at Sikai Online, Rohit Marwadi and VP of Cloud Factory, Sandeep Lama, 

“Our guests have been traveling between 5-8 hours to deliver their classes. Upon arrival, the Fellows had made arrangement for the leaders to interact with students and answer their questions. Additionally TFN Fellows, school staff are getting a rare opportunity to interact directly with these guests. Through these interactions, the guests will get to learn about the public school context and the community they are visiting. The visit will be encouraging to the school staff as well as Teach For Nepal Fellows who have been teaching for 2 years in the classroom and pursuing community leadership activities,” said Prajwal Khadka, Partnership Coordinator at Teach For Nepal who himself also served as the first cohort of TFN Fellowship.

Teach For Nepal CEO, Shisir Khanal adds, “Education is more than what you read in textbooks. Given that children Teach For Nepal Fellows teach have very limited exposure, we strongly felt that having direct access to leaders from various sectors would help build their aspirations. As Teach For Nepal Fellows volunteer for two years, leaders volunteering for a day can make a huge difference. The fundamental belief behind this initiative is that “One day, One moment, One person, and One idea can make a difference.”

Contact: Neraz Tuladhar (neraz@teachfornepal.org)

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प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

कक्षाकोठामा एक दिन

अगिल्लो हप्ता टिच फर नेपालले आफ्नो वार्षिक कार्यक्रमअन्तर्गत ‘कक्षाकोठामा एक दिन’ अभियान सम्पन्न गरेको छ। यस अभियानमा विभिन्न क्षेत्रका करिब ७० जना अतिथिहरूले टिच फर नेपालले काम गर्ने विद्यालयहरूमा गएर कक्षा लिएका हुन्। यस अभियानमा कलाकार, पत्रकार, कुटनीतक नियोगका पदाधिकारी, नेपाल सरकारको विभिन्न ओहोदामा काम गरेका व्यक्तित्वहरू, उद्यमी, सामाजिक अभियन्ता, विभिन्न संस्थाका संचालकहरू आदि सहभागी भएका छन्।

“यो अभियान विद्यार्थीहरूको ज्ञानको क्षितिज फराकिलो बनाउन सन् २०१३ बाट सुरु गरिएको एक अभ्यास हो”, अभियानका संयोजक नवाङ शेर्पा भन्छन्। शेर्पाका अनुसार  विद्यार्थीहरूमा आफ्नो समुदायका मानिसबाहेक अरू पेशा र सम्भावित कर्म क्षेत्रको ज्ञान सीमित हुने गरेको छ। सन् २०१४ देखि २ वर्ष टिच फर नेपालको फेलोको रूपमा पनि काम गरेका शेर्पा थप्छन्, “आफ्नो कक्षाकोठामा विभिन्न क्षेत्रका मानिस देखेपछि विद्यार्थीहरूको आत्मविश्वास र मनोबल बढ्छ।”

अमेरिकी राजदूत अलाइना तेप्लित्ज गत हप्ता ललितपुरको टीकाभैरवस्थित बुद्ध माविमा पुगेकी थिइन्। कक्षाकोठामा विद्यार्थीहरूसँग अन्तरक्रिया गरेपछि उनले भनिन्, “टिच फर नेपालको वार्षिक कार्यक्रम ‘कक्षाकोठामा एक दिन’ मा एक दिनको लागि भए पनि म शिक्षक बन्न पाएँ।” उनले कक्षामा प्रतिभाशाली विद्यार्थीहरूसँग कुराकानी गर्न पाउँदा खुसी लागेको बताइन्।

नेपथ्यका प्रमुख गायक अमृत गुरुङ भने सिन्धुपाल्चोकको रामदेवी मावि पुगेका थिए। कक्षाकोठामा पढाएपछि उनले भने, “शिक्षण पेशालाई म सधैँ आदर गर्छु। यो एउटा कठिन पेशा हो।”

त्यस्तै ललितपुरको चन्डेश्वरी माविमा पुगेर लेखक नयनराज पान्डेले विद्यार्थीहरूलाई दैनिकी लेख्न सिकाए। भविष्यमा राम्रो लेखक बन्नका लागि दैनिकी लेख्नका लागि विद्यार्थीहरूलाई उत्प्रेरित गरे। उनले लिएको कक्षापछि केही विद्यार्थीहरूले सोही दिनबाटै दैनिकी लेख्न सुरु गर्ने बताए।

सामसुङ इलेक्ट्रोनिककी निर्देशक तथा जोन्टा क्लबकी उपाध्यक्ष सीमा गोल्छा, वरिष्ठ पत्रकार प्राध्यापक रामकृष्ण रेग्मी, प्रधान सम्पादकहरू सुवास घिमिरे, गुणराज लुइँटेल, प्रकाश रिमाल, चारू चड्डा, सानिमा बैंकका कार्यकारी निर्देशक भुवन दाहाल, राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगका पूर्व उपाध्यक्ष डा. जगदीशचन्द्र पोखरेल, राष्ट्रिय वाणिज्य बैंकका कार्यकारी निर्देशक किरण कुमार श्रेष्ठले पनि कक्षाकोठामा गएर पढाएका थिए।

अभिनेत्री माल्भिका सुब्बाले सिन्धुपाल्चोकको महाकाली माविमा पढाएकी थिएन्। उनले कक्षा लिएपछि सोही विद्यालयकी एक छात्राले भनिन्, “मैले आफूलाई कसरी प्रस्तूत गर्छु भन्ने कुरा मेरो व्यक्तित्वको महत्वपूर्ण भाग हो।  मैले जीवनका कदमहरूमा ध्यान पुर्याउनु पर्ने रहेछ भनेर सिकेँ।”

रिपब्लिकाका प्रधान सम्पादक सुवास घिमिरेले पढाएको कक्षाटाट असल पत्रकारिताको महत्व र रिपोर्टिङमा इमान्दारिताको आवश्यकता बुझ्ने मौका पाएको सिन्धुपाल्चोकस्थित कालिका चेतना माविको कक्षा ८ मा अध्यनरत छात्र अनिश तामाङ्गले सुनाए।

कार्यक्रमबारे टिच फर नेपालका स्टाफ प्रज्ज्वल खड्का भन्छन्, “कक्षामा पढाउनको लागि प्रत्येक अतिथिले १ देखि ८ घण्टाको लामो यात्रा गरिरहनुभएको छ । स्कूल पुगेपछि अतिथि र विद्यार्थ बीच अन्तरक्रिया  हुन्छ जहाँ अतिथिहरुले विद्यार्थीहरुका विभिन्न जिज्ञासा मेटाउने काम गर्दै हुनुहुन्छ।”

यस कार्यक्रमकाको उद्देश्यमा प्रकाश पार्दै टिच फर नेपालका सहसंस्थापक तथा प्रमुख कार्यकारी अधिकृत शिशिर खनाल भन्छन्, “टिच फर नेपालका फेलोहरुले दुई वर्ष स्वयंसेवा गर्दै गर्दा यस्ता राष्ट्रिय व्यक्तित्वहरुले एक दिन कक्षा कोठामा नै पुगेर विद्यार्थीहरुसँग अन्तरक्रिया गरिदिंदा सीमित दायरामा हुर्किरहेका विद्यार्थीहरुलाई निकै ठूलो प्रेरणा मिल्न सक्छ । हाम्रो अाधारभूत विश्वास भनेको शिक्षा पाठ्यपुस्तकमा मात्रै सिमित रहनु हुँदैन र एक दिन, एक पल, एक व्यक्ति र एउटा सोँचले विद्यार्थीहरुको जिवनमा निकै ठूलो परिवर्तन ल्याउ्न सक्छ भन्ने हो।”

सम्पर्क: निरज तुलाधर (neraz@teachfornepal.org)

#TFN1DAY