The high school, which has 1,100 students, has managed to pass 98 percent of its students in the SEE exam in recent years and 100 percent of its students in the municipal level exam for grade 8.
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Facing east, a magnificent white building stands tall beside Ranipokhari in Kathmandu. It carries the pride and glorious history of Nepal's educational sector. Durbar High School, which gave the first light of education in the country, has gone through 172 winters and summers.
The school, which was destroyed both physically and academically in the 2072 earthquake, has been revived and is once again striving to share knowledge, skills, and awareness. With the improvements made in the teaching methods along with the building, Durbar High School has also become the choice of parents.
The first school in Nepal was born in Asoj 1910. Jung Bahadur Rana established Durbar High School after returning from a visit to Britain. The school was opened for Rana children. Workers working for the Rana family were allowed to educate their children there from 1933 BS. In 1957 BS, when Devshamsher became the Prime Minister, arrangements were made for the general public to study there. Since the school was opened on the ground floor of the Rana palace, it was called 'Durbar High School'.
After the establishment of democracy, on the one hand, the declining reputation of community schools, the distrust of parents, and on the other hand, the flourishing of private schools, Durbar High School in the city center fell under the onslaught of The secondary school, which was forced to shrink into a temporary shelter with 76 students after the earthquake, is now thriving with more students. There is a rush of students coming to this community school from private schools. According to the school administration, 1,100 students are studying here. The same number of students have returned without getting admission.
Teachers here say that Durbar High School has become the choice of students from all levels of private schools in Kathmandu, from famous to medium and ordinary. Children from middle-class families have also started wanting to enroll.
This school, which faced a shortage of students after the earthquake collapsed, has started to struggle after reconstruction. Principal Sharada Kumari Poudel claims that trust in the school is increasing due to its attractive physical infrastructure, quality education, extracurricular activities, and capable teachers.
The high school has a science laboratory, yoga room, Ayurvedic laboratory, computer laboratory, library, and cafeteria. The infrastructure like tables and chairs in the classrooms is also attractive and organized. There is a provision for teaching through digital medium.
Principal Poudel shared her experience that the adequacy of educational infrastructure has made it easier to raise the standard of teaching and learning. Extracurricular activities are also held here. Due to the increase in the number of students, the school administration is discussing the possibility of conducting classes in two shifts, morning and afternoon. Principal Poudel is happy that the school is regaining its lost glory.
Since 2081, Durbar High School has also started participating in the Class 12 examination. In recent years, the school has been successful in passing 98 percent of students in the SEE and 100 percent of students in the municipal level examination of Class 8. Principal Poudel said, "We want to increase the number of students further. But there are still not enough buildings and classrooms." The school has stated that the number of students cannot be increased beyond 1,100 until alternative buildings and classrooms are added.
Due to the increase in the number of students in the lower grades, students are admitted only by taking a level test (entrance exam). "Remedial teaching methods have been implemented to improve educational quality and results," said Principal Poudel. School Management Committee member Prem Lamsal said that the school has made a leap forward with the support of the metropolis, policies and programs, the collective activism of the principal and teachers.
Although there was a plan to make the school an excellent national-level school in terms of quality and student numbers, he said that the limitations of the building and classrooms made it uncomfortable. ‘The school was in a critical condition. After the building collapsed in the 2072 earthquake, the situation worsened,’ he added, ‘The Chinese government reconstructed the school building. Academic activities also started to improve in the attractive building.’
After Principal Poudel came to the leadership of the school through open competition, it seems that the lost legacy has been restored. ‘It was challenging to maintain the legacy among the private school world. The team of teachers led by Principal Poudel has made the improvement possible,’ said Management Committee member Lamsal.
Like other community schools, Durbar High School has not been able to obtain teacher positions based on the number of students. According to the school, there are 24 teachers with positions. Science, computer, ECD teachers, sanitation staff and sports coaches have been hired from internal sources. "The main problem is the lack of teaching positions, buildings and classrooms. We are still trying to improve and make it better," said Lamsal.
