After school

by DURGA HUMAGAIN AND BINOD DHAULAGIRI

FROM ISSUE # 127 (July 2006) | IN THIS ISSUE
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DURGA HUMAGAIN

Most +2 colleges in Pokhara were started out of the need for higher educational institutes. Dr R Kayastha, founder of Mt Annapurna Campus, the first +2 college to offer Science courses, recently began Galaxy HS School. Today, there are more than 20 +2 colleges in Pokhara diversifying into career-oriented subjects.

Dr RN Ojha of Paschimanchal HS School says, "We were the first to teach journalism at the higher secondary level in the Western Development Region. We want to teach practical skills." Since Pokhara is a tourism centre, the Nepal Tourism & Hotel Management College (NTHMC) was established in 1999 to teach management and tourism. "The subjects are inter-related," says Ashok Palikhe, chairperson of NTHMC. The principal, Kamal Panta, adds, "We were the first college outside Kathmandu to offer Hotel Management. Students from Biratnagar and Nepalgunj often enrol here." Shashanka P Shrestha, a grade 12 student, says, "The college is technically sound plus the management is career-oriented."

Little Step HS School introduced Agriculture at the +2 level and SB Gurung, founder, says, "Agriculturists are what our country needs." Motherland HS School has merged Computer Science in Management. Vice principal PN Pokharel says, "We want our students to be updated."

Many +2 colleges are in a dilemma because of the government's policy for higher secondary education. It declared a 'phase-out' of intermediate level from the colleges to include 11 and 12 at the school level. "However, IA has not phased out and the dualism is problematic," says LB Gurung, chairperson of Pokhara Engineering College (PEC), which is affiliated to CTEVT and Pokhara University to run sub-overseer, overseer and BE courses. Some colleges are run on the concept of 'cooperative'. "We impart quality education at affordable fees," says Dr KB Paudel, chairperson of Pokhara Multi-Model HS School, the cooperative model HSS. The college's principal Krishna KC says, "We've managed to secure good results too."

Most schools are upgraded to higher secondary level after gaining fame at the secondary level. Kumudini Homes HSS and Tops HSS are such institutions. "We have experience in school management and aim to provide quality education at the local level," says K Palikhe, founder of Kumudini Homes. Tops HSS's principal, RM Gurung, adds, "Building from the grass-roots level has resulted in success." According to the District Education Office in Kaski, there are 36 HS schools in Pokhara. Gyanu Baba HSS, Prativa HSS, Srijana HSS have recently added +2 education.

EDUCATION CITY: Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry has declared Pokhara the City of Education, Health and Tourism. Manipal Medical College attracts aspiring doctors while Pokhara University has started a Bachelor's in Pharmacy programme. There are institutes offering varied subjects at different levels: from forestry to computer science. As RM Gurung of Tops HS School says, "Students don't have to leave Pokhara for higher education now."