Contribution to Durbar High School libraries in memory of late Prabhakar SJB Rana

KATHMANDU: Maya Rana Tufo, daughter of Late Prabhakar SJB Rana has contributed to the two libraries at Durbar High School in Kathmandu. In a programme organised to inaugurate two libraries at the school on November 3, Rana said that her father laid emphasis on education and training programmes so she wanted to give the funds to an organisation that would take the responsibility to set up a library for the community. Zonta Club Kathmandu took responsibility to set up the libraries. The contribution was made with the objective to ensure student access to high-quality school library service and dynamic, well-resourced school library run by qualified staff. It was natural for Rana to choose Durbar High School — the first and historical school in the country — to fund as her father was also a great admirer of Nepali heritage, culture and nature, she stated.  The school was rebuilt by the Government of China after the earthquake of 2015 damaged the building. [caption id="attachment_16344" align="alignnone" width="800"] This image shows a picture of late Prabhakar SJB Rana on the wall of the Durbar High School library. Photo: Zonta Club/Facebook[/caption] Zonta Club Kathmandu and Durbar High School, Bhanu Ma Vi and Sanskrit Ma Vi recognised the valuable contribution of Rana Tufo for the library in her late father’s name — Prabhakar SJB Rana. Zonta stands for women's rights. They advocate for equality, education and an end to child marriage and gender-based violence. Zonta Club has been proactive in supporting Durbar School during the COVID-19 pandemic with online education by providing laptops to the teachers and smartphones to the students. Zonta also conducted intensive training for teachers for online education. The school library provides information and develops wider knowledge to face the challenges of these uncertain times. [caption id="attachment_16343" align="alignnone" width="800"] A view of library at Durbar High School in Ranipokhari, Kathmandu, on November 3, 2021.[/caption] There are two historical schools under the roof of Durbar High School — Sanskrit Madhyamik Vidyalaya from grade VI to XII and Bhanu Madhyamik Vidyalaya from Pre-school to grade X.  The club has set up two libraries — Panini and Durbar Pustakalaya. Bhanu Ma Vi will also have book corners in their own classrooms from pre-school to grade III. A library provides stimulation and inspiration to both students and teachers, develops interest in subjects and widens the horizon of students. “With the use of the library, the school aims to encourage a reading culture and life-long learning habit in students. The library is expected to expose students to one’s culture as well as make them aware of other cultures and provide them with the latest knowledge. A library plays an important role in enhancing a teacher’s effectiveness and classroom performance with research books and other media, it is stated. Further, the library promotes individual and group learning, helps in developing students’ vocabulary, enhances comprehension, develops the habit of silent reading and develops problem-solving attitude among students. The school will adopt DEAR Time: Drop Everything And Read policy every day for 20 minutes. Students and teachers will be allowed to introduce Book Clubs as well as visits of authors to promote interest in reading and writing. There are also devices in the library to read online books and do research for students to be updated with the online learning trends. Moreover, Zonta Club has hired a full-time librarian and library assistant to take care of both the libraries. Librarian will be an instructional leader for the mental, emotional, and social growth of the students. They could recommend the choice of books to students. READ ALSO: 

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