+2 Education

Past, present and future

by DAMBAR K SHRESTHA

FROM ISSUE # 163 (July 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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KIRAN PANDAY

Though established due to selfish and political reasons, +2 education, in the last two decades, has been able to build its foundation in Nepal and has in a way changed its education system. There are approximately seven hundred thousand students enrolled in the higher education level in today's date in the country. Lack of proper national policies and management does come in the way but it wouldn't be wrong to say that +2 education takes the credit for the substantial change in the way we are educated. According to the Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) statistics, there were 49,950 students enrolled in the +2 system in 2001 which has now increased to 6,51,000. At that time there were mere 775 +2 schools where as the recent count sees the increase in number of 1,876.

The biological and psychological transitions that teenagers go through at this age make it an appropriate time to make them realise their social duties and discipline. Keeping in mind that 19 year old students require proper care and school-like environment, the concept of 10+2 system was introduced globally. It plays a huge role in guiding a large number of youth in the correct direction. In the past twenty years there have been multiple number of high schools, Tribhuwan University (TU) affiliated colleges and private schools that offer it.

Ironically, the reason +2 was introduced in Nepal wasn't to provide standard education to a large populace but for political reasons. The 1979 student revolution posed a big threat to then government and rulers. A large number of the students involved in that revolution were fresh SLC graduates enrolled in the Intermediate studies offered by the TU. Frustrated by the strikes, the then government looked for a strategy to keep the students in schools and away from politics. The Royal Higher Education Board, which was established in 1982 started working on introducing a new board that would keep students in school for two more years after class 10 and the National Panchayat's last meeting passed the bill on the policy in 1989 and works on which was started by HSEB the same year. Although in the beginning HSEB was confused and ineffective, it was only later in 1995 that it was implemented properly. Despite a political motive behind its establishment at that time, the government was ready to suspend the Intermediate Level Certificate courses offered by TU and introduce the +2 system to produce well educated young population. Soon after the Panchayat system fell and the new Democratic government gave away affiliation in 38 school in the academic year 1991/92. But in the later years there were schools that had only grade 11 and 12 with low standard of education which has made the government issue a rule that by the end of this year all school should be from grade 1-12 or at least 9-12.  

Whatever the reason and the time taken for it to be implement +2 education has changed the face of the education system of Nepal. Not only is it helping produce hundred thousands competent students each year it brings in a profit of billions in an annual fiscal year. Since the introduction of +2, the way the country studies has changed and has upgraded Nepal's position among the top most in the SAARC region. Availability of good education in grade 11 and 12 within the country has in a way put a stop to thousands of students flying out for further studies.

Spreading its roots
Once the SLC results are declared there are thousands of students who are on the search for an appropriate school and course of study to take up for their further studies. The options currently available in Nepal are the HSEB +2 courses, TU's Intermediate Certificates, CBSE and A Level. Since the government has decided to suspend the Intermediate level the number of students opting for +2 and A Level has risen.

Multiple options, practical subjects, global syllabus and development in the education, interest based study and qualified teachers have played a role in bettering the standard of education. The facilities provided by +2 schools such as good infrastructure, library, laboratories, cafeteria etc make it a popular choice these days because of which there are hundreds of schools around the country which are set to extend their schools till grade 12. The proof of which can be taken as the 431 schools which were granted temporary affiliation to HSEB from Jhapa to Darchula. Likewise, colleges which have been bringing out impressive results in Intermediate level too have started offering +2 courses and are performing better.

In the past year only 70% of students who passed SLC opted for +2 where as 1% chose A Level but if TU's decision to suspend the Intermediate studies was to be successful then 95% of the students will be studying in various plus two schools around Nepal. The main attraction towards it for students has been the career oriented teaching, practical knowledge and vast area of options. It offers practical streams such as business studies, computer science, hotel management, travel and tourism, mass communication, sociology along with science, mathematics, political science, history etc which are more traditional streams.

A very important level in terms of building a career, students don't want to make any mistake in choosing streams and colleges. The search for a good Plus Two school starts as soon as SLC is over not just in the capital but all over the country. The upgrading of schools to grade 12 have made easy for students from the rural regions, thus making higher level education available to all. In the recent past, the number of students enrolling in TU has substantially decreased and Kathmandu University and CBSE seats are very limited therefore most students join A Level or Plus Two. But A Level has so far only been popular in Kathmandu which leaves a huge chunk of the pie for Plus Two schools.

A mere decade ago, Plus Two system of education were considered better than Intermediate level but today the competition is between which +2 college is better. "If TU is going to shelve its IA/ICom levels, I am confident that the +2 will be able to take the responsibility which is a very positive fact, especially during these uncertain times," says Bikram Rai, principal of Prasadi Academy. Singing praises about it is educationist Mann Prasad Wagle who says, "The notable development of Plus Two schools since its establishment is very praiseworthy." A medium of decentralisation, availability of higher education in schools in villages will put a stop to the educational migration. "Easy access to higher education in their village cuts down on cost and decreases the number of dropouts," reasons Wagle.   

Choosing the right one
The main criterion in selecting a Plus Two seems to be: discipline, education, reputation location and 'brand name'. Prior to enrolling in a Plus Two college, students today seek education counselling and go for ones with highly qualified and experienced teachers and ones that set up a milestone for them to study abroad. Other facilities that students look for are well equipped science and computer laboratories, a first-rate library and a modern, spacious infrastructure. Parents are  recommended to not be attracted by the advertisements but rather by the educational records of the colleges. Also, they are advised to observe and examine first-hand knowledge of how the college runs. Bikram claims "Because people have become more aware of quality education, they thoroughly evaluate all options." For this reason he adds, "Colleges that are solely driven by monetary reasons do not appeal to them."

Speaking of the best way to educate students these days, Shiva Dutta Gyawali, Principal of Universal College states, "The hand-outs and notes provided to the students are of no use unless theories and concepts are clearly understood," adding, "What is more important is appreciating the root of issues and being able to apply that knowledge to the bigger picture."

IB - The new one on the block

Along with Plus Two and A level, the newest scheme introduced in Nepal is the European 'International Baccalaurate (IB).' IB first commenced as a non profit educational scheme in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland and currently is administered in 138 countries. The main office for IB Asian countries is in Singapore.

Ullens School in Khumaltar, is the first school to administer an IB course in Nepal. Says Medin Lamichane. "It is likely to make Nepal a destination offering international standard of education with internationally certified teachers as well as a medium that promotes educational tourism."

While, the admission fee is Rs. 60,000, Ullens School requires a deposit of an extra Rs. 60,000 and the monthly fee is Rs. 35,000. IB promises a curriculum that builds on a student's creative self, aids in gaining leadership qualities and encourages community service. The plus point is that the 20 to 31 credits gained at IB can be directly transferred to colleges in America and Europe, providing better opportunities for higher education abroad.

NOTE:
WAVE regrets the inadvertent error that appeared in the print edition of July issue of the magazine on Ullens School. The article above carries the correction.

* Suresh Neupane