Something seriously wrong

It was not surprising to read the news report “Over 58 per cent fail to clear SLC” (THT, 12 June, Page 1) considering the ongoing teaching-learning practices in Nepal especially in the public schools. There are several factors that have been contributing to such a low performance in the outcome of the SLC results. Some of them are (1) highly politicized environment (2) lack of proper monitoring and supervision by the higher authorities (3) poor management in the distribution of text books out in the rural areas (4) teachers absenteeism (5) teachers irresponsible acts (6) traditionally designed curriculum (7) insufficient and poor infrastructures and so on.

If we looked back at the success rate in the last decade, the pass percentages found to be gradually declining from one year to another year showing that there were some serious deficiencies in the educational system of Nepal. None of the concerned authorities showed any serious concern on these burning issues.  They were never serious in finding out the root causes of poor pass percentage of SLC results. Instead of allocating huge amount of fund every year from the government’s annual budget, there remained poor performances leaving always ample room for raising serious concerns.

However, there was something encouraging to know that the Education Secretary had publicly announced that the government would form a high level study panel to investigate into decreasing pass percentage in SLC exams as reported in “Poor performance under scanner” (THT, 12 June, Page 1). Unless the government and the political parties become serious and show political commitment to sort out the deficiencies in the education sector and put all their positive effort to root out the existing problems, the pass percentages in SLC exams continue to decline contributing towards the production of poor human resources that could be detrimental for the nation in the long run. 

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu