Such A Love For My Profession
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
"After 10 class I didn't know what I wanted to do. Like so many Nepalis I thought, maybe doctor? So I started studying science. Back then a cup of tea cost 1 rupee, some days I would indulge. I worked really hard and got a full scholarship from the government; but with that was the stipulation that after graduating you had to work in a government position for a year in one of Nepal's remote rural districts: But the exam fees were $10 and I didn't have it so I had to drop out.
"I got a teaching job in a primary school for $5 a month, I was so proud. I thought, why should I finish my studies, I'm earning so well for myself? I kept up with the teaching profession, my English got me pretty far. But finally my lack of education caught up with me; I hadn't graduated from 12 class and people were seeing me as under qualified, even though I had experience. I self taught myself, took the exams, and passed high school. I went on to do my undergrad in education and humanities while teaching a full load of classes."
"I was shocked. I used to think I knew what worked in a classroom-- after all I had the teaching experience. But reading the education theory, I learned what really worked and why it really worked. Experience was not enough, I started reading everything I could get my hands on. I'm pretty sure I've read every book on education that's available in Nepal. I developed such a love for my profession, but also a love for the children I taught. I realize now the doctor track wasn't for me; it's been 33 years in education and I haven't looked back once."
Naim Chaudhari is our school's principal. He's the one who runs the day to day of our busy school, and is one of Nepal's finest educators.