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.
This is why many students in Nepal want to pursue their higher education in developed countries like the US, UK, Germany etc. This is a very big problem not only in Nepal but in other developing countries too. It not only leaves a student with lack of options but also encourages them to pursue their higher studies outside the country which eventually creates a problem of Brain-Drain. This directly affects the country as a whole. It is not the fault of the students and neither is of the developed countries but the pointless education system. Therefore the government needs to pay attention to this issue. This may not seem to be harmful at the moment but the country is going to suffer from lack of skilled manpower if this continues.
ReplyDeletehird world countries like Nepal do not have a thriving economy. So the only possible good careers might be medicine, as the number of qualified medical personnel is very low, or engineering, as developing countries are always in need of infrastructure. But the number of students getting trained in these profession has exceeded demands in the country and has led to brain-drain. Modernization started in Nepal less than hundred years ago So it will take more time to develop a full fledged economy which can accommodate every sort of professions. The view of the people regarding a good career choice will eventually change with this.
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea this was going on in Nepal. I actually don't really know anything about Nepal. I mean, science is a good field to go into, but not everybody is fit to go into that field. Science has always been my best subject, but I know I would not be able to be a researcher, doctor, or anything like that. Did your parents try to push you into enrolling in a school in Nepal? What was it like when you came here and saw all the different opportunities as a career?
ReplyDeleteRaja, it is interesting to see the difference in education in Nepal and America. In Nepal, students are heavily encouraged to study the science field, while in America, science and math are not popular at all, probably because they are so difficult and time consuming as obtaining degrees in these areas can take up to ten years of schooling and internships.
ReplyDeleteRaja, this post is so interesting! I had no idea that the education in Nepal was so different than the education in the United States. If I was living in Nepal, I don't know what I would do because science is my least-favorite subject! I can see why so many students in Nepal travel internationally for education because it is definitely important to have a lot of options to choose from to pick a career.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for giving your views on Nepalese education system.
ReplyDeleteNikki*, my parents had expected me to be a doctor, but since I planned to study mathematics, first they tried to convince me to choose biology explaining all the possible advantages of being a doctor.Later they wanted me to be an engineer!!
When I came to United States I was amazed to see a lot of subjects to choose from.Even more suprising thing for me was the requirements of core where a science student can read anthropology, philosopy, music and others.
Hey, a nice post. Well, Science is not that bat if you are really into it... Anyways i was hoping if you could specify what's the education like that in US... :)
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