Solution: Broader Options

I think there should be some kind of reformation
in the education system of Nepal. One way can be that in high school, students
should be offered a wide spectrum of subjects to choose from, so that they need
not be confined to one discipline. Due to this, the student who takes arts,
history or other fields along with some courses in science can choose science
as their major in college. Similarly, a student taking science courses can go
in other fields if he finds that science is not the best option for him. When
the options are wider, it is often easy for students to choose the subjects
they are interested in.

Regarding the attitude of people on the
reputation of profession, it can be changed once there are enough job
prospects, good income and high social prestige for all the fields. 

Unfair Policy

      One of the main reason why science and mathematics are focused in Nepal is because people believe these subjects give flexibility to mind, and prepares an individual to do any work in a prudent way. Probably, this is the reason why, in Nepal, a student in science stream in high school can go to humanities or management disciplines in college but the opposite is not allowed. Due to this system, students are forced to take science, at least during high school.

     I agree that the science courses in high school of Nepal are immense and demand heavy effort from the students, which may reward them with laborious habit. But it is so with every subject. In my view, the effort put by the students is what really matters to determine his/her ability. And for extremely huge effort, the subject matter should interest the student. So rather than studying what parents or others want, it is good to make bond with the subject the individual enjoys.

Giving options

         I was amazed to see a lot of course offerings in the colleges in the United States. I was even more surprised when I learned that many students are interested in psychology, anthropology, and other fields in education. Previously I used to think that in the developed countries like the United States, most of the people have interest in science and technology.

       In Nepal, the courses like psychology, history and philosophy, even though introduced, are always passive. Writing courses are rarely heard. Music and art classes are offered only in few institutions. Schools only focus on the excellence for science and mathematics.

      To uplift the education system of Nepal, the government should focus on promoting education in different disciplines. The jobs should be made available in different fields. Attention should be given to other fields of education by the government in addition to the funding for medical and engineering institutes. Only then students can have some options to choose from.

Is doctor and engineer the only option?

Students in Nepal are exposed to very few areas of education. They have very few subjects to choose from. Students are compelled to spend their time studying mathematics and science, so their skills in any other fields like sports, music and arts are unrefined, no matter how much inclination they had in those areas during childhood. It simply fades away.

The educational system of Nepal is different from that in the United States. At the end of grade 10, the government takes a nationwide test, and the students who pass, can join two years of high school. While entering high school, a student has to choose from one of three different disciplines: science, management or humanities. Those who choose their subject other than science are viewed as
weak students; so most of the students are forced, often by parents, to enroll in science.

A student, who chose science, is obligated to study three core sub-disciplines, namely physics, chemistry, biology (or Computer Science), along with Mathematics and English for two years. They are not allowed to study any other discipline, and most students lack the incentives anyways. Students with high school certificate in science are eligible to apply for medical and engineering institutes. The government institute offers such programs for a limited number of students. And this is where the real problem is entrenched.

People believe in stereotype that the medical and engineering fields are the best. The number of students applying in medical institute and engineering institute is surprisingly high and only few get admitted. Most of the rejected students re-apply within the next year without any positive result. As a result, students get frustrated with their life.

As a last resort, few join private engineering or medical colleges, which are very expensive but unrecognized and terribly unqualified. Most students pursue a bachelor’s degree in science because students perceive it to be the only viable option for a reputable career. However, the irony is that many students are without any shape. Due to the prevalent educational system and attitudes of people, many students suffer from a lack of options that students in the United States and other developed nations enjoy.  

Science, science and science

People in Nepal believe that the only worthy field, to pursue career, is science. Students are encouraged to work hard on science and mathematics from early age, and brilliant ones are compelled to choose science as their career. The society directs the students to view medical and engineering field as the highest goal. In my blog, I will discuss about the issue related to this type of attitude in Nepalese people.