VOL. 05, NO. 01, July 01, 2011 (Ashar 17, 2068)]

Soon after the announcement of the results of School Leaving Certificate exams, floodgates to higher secondary schools have opened. A large number of schools are rushing to appear on newspapers, television, radio and hoarding boards with their own styles to woo the students. The challenge before the students and parents is to make the right choice of schools that offer quality for affordable fees.

By KESHAB POUDEL

As soon as the results of the SLC exams came out, floodgates appear to have opened for schools offering the higher secondary education. The +2 schools are marking this festive season with a motley of advertisements in newspapers and hoarding boards hanging here and there, almost everywhere.

When, back in 1994, Govinda Raj Joshi, then minister of education, presented the higher secondary education as an alternative to the proficiency certificate level of the Tribhuvan University, many a critic saw his decision as premature. There was a massive opposition within his party, not to talk of the upset TU authorities.

The TU took loans from the World Bank to remove the proficiency certificate level, but later the authorities showed reluctance to do so and did not cooperate with the ministry in this regard. “This move was possible at that time because there was a virtual political stability and our party led the government under Girija Prasad Koirala ,” said Joshi.

His opponents even created hurdles to run the +2 education. He had to personally motivate private schools and public schools to go for the plus 2 because it was an internationally accepted school system.

When no private and public school was ready to open +2 in Kathmandu, Joshi asked Budhanilkantha to start it. Due to his personal influence, some of public schools from outside the valley supported him.

Nobody bothers to know today how difficult it was to introduce this new system. Intellectuals like Dr. Ishwor Prasad Upadhyaya, secretary of Ministry of Education, and Dr. Tirtha Khaniya, vice chairman of Higher Secondary Education Board and many others, who were at the Ministry at that time, supported Joshi in his move.

“I am happy to see the present scenario where higher secondary education is widely accepted by all, especially as I remember those days when I was condemned by critics as acting like a bully,” said Joshi. However, I had not anticipated anything like the present level of commercialization of this education,” he said. “Had HSEB monitored and regulated the system properly, it would not have gone too commercial like in the present context.”

Although Joshi’s aim was to make the Nepalese education system competitive and up to the international level, he did not find many takers of his view back then. From his own party to the opposition, all he got was a massive criticism.

Seventeen years after, the situation has reversed, yet nobody cares to notice those persons who worked so hard to bring these major changes in the education system. And, who has the time?

Every year, as soon as the SLC results are published, parents and students rush to knock on the doors of higher secondary schools. The schools, in turn, rush to the doors of media- newspapers, radio, television and online, to lure the students and parents through attractive advertisements.

Amidst the festive mood now, one can see floods of colourful advertisements and hoarding boards, better looking than those in the years gone by thanks to the improving technology and knowhow. Obviously, the psychological pressure on the students and parents to choose the right education institution, which imparts quality for a reasonable cost, is tremendous. If one reads the advertisements online, they indicate that the infrastructure of these schools are at par with classrooms in developed countries.

Most of the newly established higher secondary schools are marketing themselves with many things western, including their names and models of buildings. But hardly any seems to really put a premium on quality of education and dedication to work for the future. These new schools are also using a marketing gimmick by hiring old teachers as principals and founders, for their names in certain fields.

As the +2 education solely supported by private investment, it is natural they have some kind of profit making motives. Everybody wants to make profits from investment. In this context, many schools operators ignore the main ethos of education to serve the people.

Interestingly, some old schools, having a proven record of providing quality education, are not in the advertisement race. “We want to prove our reputation to parents and students by imparting quality education,” said Krishna Kanta Parajuli, Managing Director of CANVAS International Schools.

“We don’t want to spend a huge money in advertisements. Instead, we want to improve our classrooms as well as laboratories and libraries.”

According to higher secondary authorities, there are 2,700 schools permitted to teach the +2 classes. Interestingly, all these schools are under the private sector. Higher secondary education is only one level where the government investment is virtually zero. Out of 17 percent total budget allocated to education, Higher Secondary Education receives just a few million rupees.

“The government needs to increase its annual contribution to the Higher Secondary Education so that even the rural population gets benefits,” said Dr. Baburam Pokharel, founding chairman and principal of VS Niketan Higher Secondary Schools and College.

Confusion

Although one of the main thrusts of education is to impart quality education, the recent trend speaks otherwise. Some urban-based schools are luring students by showing off their school dresses, buildings and other hardwares.

Students and parents tend to look for colleges that are liberal and offer extra facilities. Most of them neglect the colleges providing quality education without compromise. Along with good professors, good colleges make sure, how well the classes are conducted.

Over the years, Nepal has seen the growth of quality colleges in the country but students are mostly oblivious to that. Moreover, it is also essential to get prior and correct information about the courses that prospective students would like to take.

Following the great recession in the real estate business, many brokers are now investing in the higher secondary education. “Although many schools are selling the name of renowned old scholars to attract the students, the brokers and businessmen are playing from behind,” said a professor on condition of anonymity. “Such schools are promoting the culture of mini-skirts, motorbikes and muscle power.”

As private investment in the higher education sector is reducing the burden of government, it is creating more troubles due to the lack of a strong monitoring and regulatory authority. Although Higher Secondary Education Board is responsible to take all the necessary regulatory works, what it lacks is the institutional capability and manpower.

“Had HSEB supervised the schools well, the situation would not have gone out of hands to present state of commercialisation,” said Parajauli.

In an unhealthy competition, many reputed schools run by professionals are also facing the problems.  Chelsea International Academy is one of them. For the past four years, Sudhir Kumar Jha, principal of Chelsea International Academy, had not faced any difficulty to get the students for its A Level Cambridge. Established as a good A Level school for science and non-science streams, Chelsea International Academy used to get enough students till the last year.

“Due to the haphazard decision of the government to allow any number of schools in any time and any place, the situation has gone from bad to worse. If the government is sincerely in favour of quality education, it must not permit new schools without analyzing the manpower available in the market,” said Jha.

After taking the portfolio of Minister of Education, Ganga Lal Tuladhar, who issued permission to 36 schools to run A Level Cambridge in Kathmandu, is concerned about the scenario too.

“Education sector must provide healthy academic environment rather than healthy physical environment. I have already directed the HSEB to monitor the situation to stop unhealthy practices,” minister Tuladhar told New Spotlight. “Following the phase-out of the proficiency certificate level from Tribhuvan University, we need to bring changes in the sector of higher secondary education to make it accessible to the people from all walks of life.”

Out of the total of 397,759 students who appeared in the SLC examination conducted in the academic year 2067 B.S. (March 2011), only 220,766 students got through this most vital exam of their school life.

Over 2600 schools are now trying to lure these 220,776 students. After results of partial examinations in August, another 10,000 to 15,000 students will be added in the total pass percentage.

Education expert Dr. Mana Prasad Wagle said that lack of appropriate political leadership and willpower of the employees are to blame for the failure of different education programmes launched by the government.

“The government must take the steps to regularize the education institutions. If things go like they do now, there will be more problems in the future.”

As there is no choice other than the Higher Secondary Education now, what students and parents need to do is to find out the institutions with proven capability for quality education and institutions with academic atmosphere.

Having spent his entire career in promoting quality education, DR. BABURAM POKHAREL, founder principle of V. S. Niketan Higher Secondary School and College, has a new vision to share about Nepal’s higher education. Since its establishment by Dr. Pokharel in 1981, V.S Niketan has made remarkable achievements. It is now a leading private sector education institution dedicated to impart quality and affordable education to all. V.S. Niketan provides one roof for students from pre-primary to graduate levels. As the results of the School Leaving Certificate exams have come out, like every year, the students face difficulties in choosing the right school dedicated to their further education. Founder principal Dr. Pokharel explains what students need to do when they are in a dilemma in making a choice. Excerpts:

How do you look at the quality of higher education at the +2 level?

I can say that the curriculum of +2 is at par with international standards. Unlike in the Tribhuwan University’s proficiency course, the curriculum of +2 is updated every two to three years. It helps students to receive instruction under the best available curriculum.

What do you say about the recent trend of commercialization of +2 education? Don’t you think such a trend has been eroding the ethos of education?

A school like ours, which offers classes from nursery to higher education levels, does not have to compete in the advertisements race. We receive enough students. Only those schools, which have just the +2 level of education to offer, are seen in the ad race. Parents and students are wise enough to understand which schools impart quality education with full commitment to nothing but education.

After decades of experiments in the +2, don’t you think time has come now to make certain reforms in it?

Of course, there is the need to make certain reforms. The time has now come to make the +2 as part of school education. Globally, higher secondary is part of the school education. If we can follow the same, this will discourage unhealthy practices. Nepal’s development partners are also suggesting reforms, such as making a single board for +2 at the center and leaving the SLC to regional education boards.

What changes has the + 2 education system brought about in the country?

After the introduction of +2 education, the people living in rural parts of the country too have got the opportunity to acquire education at their doorsteps. In the past, rural students had to go outside their home village and district to acquire intermediate level or higher education. This is the reason there were high dropouts following SLC. After the introduction of +2, the situation has changed and rural people too are completing the +2 level.

How do you view the role of the private sector in education?

No one can deny the fact that the present state of quality education is the result of the private sector’s involvement and investment. In the area of +2, the government’s contribution is very nominal and an overwhelming number of +2 schools are private. Annually, the government spends more than 17 per cent of its budget in the education sector, but the +2 education receives very nominal part of it. As there is the involvement of the private sector, the quality of +2 is better than at the school level.

How do you claim that the private sector has been imparting quality education?

The recent SLC results also showed that the private sector was able to impart quality education as 90 per cent of their students passed SLC. However, the results of the government schools remained pathetic as less than 50 per cent students passed the SLC examination. Even the +2 education institutions have proved this. Teachers are more dedicated and committed in private schools. This is the reason why the pass percentage of the private schools remains higher than the public schools. The teachers in the government schools get more benefits than the private schools. This does not change the overall performance.

As results of SLC have already been published, what challenges and opportunities do you see before the students?

Following the closure of the proficiency certificate level, there is no option before them but to choose the +2 education. The schools need to assure parents that they will impart quality education. Students have enormous opportunities before them as they normally do not go to foreign countries to pursue +2. Challenges for the students are mainly in making the right choice of schools that are really dedicated to education.

How do you look at the Higher Secondary Education Board?  

As an autonomous body, the Higher Secondary Board is free to make major decisions. This is one of the reasons it publishes results in time. It also conducts the examination in accordance with its calendar.

What do you say about the overall environment of the higher secondary education?

The environment at the higher education sector is good as it provides peaceful atmosphere to the students who want to pursue higher education. This is the reason guardians and students are now looking forward to choose good schools of higher secondary education.

What do you suggest for HSEB?

Although Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) is said to be autonomous and independent, the reality is different. There is frequent political intervention in the HSEB and it is yet to build its own institutional capability. There is the need to strengthen the Higher Secondary Education Board.

What is the situation actually like?

In a short period, the higher secondary education established itself as a good option. There are around 3000 higher secondary schools in the country. Most of the beneficiaries of higher secondary education are people living in remote parts of Nepal.

What about the V.S Niketan?

It started with 147 students and 7 teachers in 1981. The school has made a lot of progress since then. From pre-primary to high school and college, I am proud to say, we have been able to secure more than 98 per cent success. Nepal government honored it with excellent school of the year award. We are now running BBA. Our BBA program is like a hot cake. Banks are offering placements for our students even before they complete their course. Our program provides the job guarantee. Thanks to the support of parents and students, we have been able to establish ourselves as a good school.

What are the future challenges?

Politicization is a major problem. The time has come to delink politics from education. Over-politicization is badly affecting our education system. Our school was shut down in the beginning of the academic session. All the political parties need to issue commitments that they will not interfere in education and it must be made a peace zone. Political parties must issue the commitment.

No To Advertising Race

Professor Dr. KRISHNA KANTA PARAJULI is the managing director of CANVAS International Higher Secondary School. Having had a long involvement in the +2 education, professor Parajuli knows many ins and outs of the school education. Parajuli spoke to NEW SPOTLIGHT on various issues. Excerpts:

The recent trend shows that the +2 education has been commercialized giving rise to a flourishing unhealthy competition. How do you look at this?

I agree with you that the +2 looks to be a very profitable business venture for many. Instead of guaranteeing quality education, schools seem to be competing in the advertisement campaigns. CANVAS International believes in quality of education. We don’t have any intention to join the advertisement race.

If things are going wrong, what do you propose as a solution?

Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) needs to act. Unfortunately, HSEB has been doing nothing to regulate the schools. HSEB has to monitor all the ongoing activities.

What do you say about the present uncompetitive and unhealthy practices?

 An unhealthy advertisement race is creating confusions in the minds of parents and students. The minds of young students are badly affected by the present trends. Students fail to see what is right and what is wrong.

 In the present context, what do you suggest for parents and students?

Parents and students need to follow a cautious approach. They have to visit the schools and meet the teachers to test the quality of education. Advertisements should not be the basis for them to judge the quality of education. Some newspapers are classifying the schools by drawing their own criteria.

What strategy does CANVAS have for a long term?

CANVAS has a long-term vision. We will lure the students and teachers by imparting quality education. It may take a few more years for us, but we want to convince parents and children through our academic environment and quality education. CANVAS believes commercialization is not going to enhance the image of the schools for the long run. We will pursue the policy which will enhance our image in the long run.

What are the challenges before +2?

As I have told you, HSEB needs to strengthen its own institutional capability. As a regulator, the HSEB must monitor the overall environment, including the quality of education, state of teachers and management. As most of the +2 schools are run by part-time teachers, this affects the quality of education. At the +2 level, the students need more counseling. Subjects like science, mathematics and management need more counseling and supervision. The importance of regular teachers is a matter here. HSEB has to take action against those which do not abide by rules and give awards to those which respect the regulations.

What other reforms do you think are necessary in the +2 education?

In the changing context, there is the need to take certain reforms in curriculum and monitoring. HSEB must be made capable to monitor and regulate the schools as a central and powerful authority.

Call For Change

At a time when there is a growing competition in the +2 education, various schools are offering their own schemes. Princeton International Academy also has its own set of beliefs and plans. Executive Director SHANTI KRISHNA ADHIKARI spoke to NEW SPOTLIGHT on various issues. Excerpts:  

How do you assess the overall scenario in the higher secondary education?

If you look at the present trend, unhealthy practices are growing. Instead of taking education as a service, there is more business orientation. This kind of a trend will ultimately harm the overall education performance.

How do you make your college different in this context?

 We believe in quality education and we will never compromise on it. This is the reason we are very concerned about quality and proper management. Proper management is important to make private educational institution successful.

What to do you see are the reasons behind the growth of private schools?

One of the reasons behind thriving private schools is their strong management. Despite limited resources, private education institutions are thriving in the country because their management is strong.

How does the Princeton International Academy work?  

We hold regular examinations and class tests. This makes students alert. We also emphasize extracurricular activities and even proper counseling for students having problems in their studies. We have a very dedicated and strong team of teachers. Finally, we provide the best academic environment.

At a time when there is a growing concern about the gap between the government and private schools, what do you suggest?

There should be a policy that could bridge the gap between the students of private and government institutions. There is the need to change the dual education system of Nepal.