Binod panta
Kathmandu, December 25: Almost all the media houses are busy with the advertisement of different +2 colleges in the town. It thus indicates that these 10 +2 colleges are the major provider of higher education in Nepal. These +2 colleges promise quality teaching and stimulating learning environment for students eager to pursue studies beyond high school.The higher secondary schools started their promotional campaign to attract students a month ago, as soon as the results of the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams were out.
The colourful ads stand as a testimony that Nepal has not lost all hopes, despite reigning uncertainties in economy, politics and law and order. The popularity of Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB has received well appreciation from the SLC graduates. According to the HSEB, more than 72 per cent of this year’s SLC graduates have joined grade 11 classes. The board expects the figure, that is, the share of student intake for +2 schools, will reach as high as 80 per cent.
Due to the extreme popularity of these +2 colleges the old Proficiency Certificate Level (PCL), run by the Tribhuwan University (TU) is gradually losing its relevance and is in the verge of extinction.
The educational expert says “The higher secondary system has transformed the whole education scenario in Nepal, offering the most competitive and quality education to students”. “Over 90 per cent of MBBS, engineering, business and management graduates today are the products of the higher secondary system. The 10+2 has been a catalyst in all this transformation.”
Govinda Raj Joshi, the education minister between 1991 and 1995, introduced drastic changes in the education sector, including the 10+2 schools. He proposed a number of amendments in the existing acts, which ultimately took the 10+2 to the present shape.To ensure the quality education for all the Nepali citizens 10+2 institutions has reached even in these remote areas where there are no schools. The HSEB has been making efforts to take the 10+2 education to the doorsteps of the rural people.
Due to the mixture of politics in TU’s colleges, students and parents in search of secured education join the +2 colleges as in these institutions there is no any room for politics. Classes run here with fewer interruptions than in TU colleges,” says Krishna Kanta Parajuli, principal of Canvas International College. “Our college offers science, management and humanities at grades 11 and 12.”
Nepali has received good support for educational as +2 colleges are providing quality education and producing competent students. While anarchy and disorder are continuing to find a foothold in all spheres of life, a major question before HSEB is how to sustain the success.
