Shivaraj Adhikari, the Founder Principal of Ed-Mark Academy/College is also the President of HISSAN Kathmandu. He is the founder Chairperson of Success Academy, Dhading and Chairperson of Dhading Multiple Campus. Mr. Adhikari has shared his view on the present status of +2 education and further plan of the HISSAN Kathmandu for the institutional development of private colleges. Excerpts:
Currently, you are the President of HISSAN Kathmandu. What plans and strategies have you developed to take the HISSAN Kathmandu to another level of success?
Higher Institutions and Seconary Schools Association Nepal (HISSAN) is the umbrella organization that ensures all academic programs are run smoothly from plus-two-level to higher education, and the rights of private colleges are safeguarded. So, its plan, policy, programs and activities are directed towards the academic excellence and development.
Recently, we have prepared an academic calendar and tried our best to implement it effectively. As our annual programs, we have recently conducted HISSAN Kathmandu SEE Quiz contest in collaboration with College Readers magazine. Another stride in professional development, a workshop for school principals has just been completed which focused on the institutional capacity development, entrepreneurship and academic excellence.
Moreover, we are intending to conduct teacher training with the aim of empowering and equipping the participating teachers well. Similarly, we are also planning to hold a wide discussion among the academicians, teachers and stakeholders to avoid the inadequacy occurred and experienced in present curricula and discovering possible gateways to further improvement. For this, we will cooperate with the National Examinations Board (NEB) and the Curriculum Development Centre (CDC).
You have just said that there are insurmountable drawbacks and shortcomings in the existing curricula. What are those challenges?
The course content has been designed in a traditional way and its teaching pedagogy is primarily on theoretical basis. So, it is a great challenge for its practical orientation to meet the demand of the time and the society. The course is beyond the interest and the need of students.
Of late, the number of students coming to Kathmandu valley from other swathes of the country has decreased dramatically. If this phenomenon remains constant, there will be an acute shortage of students in the +2 colleges of Kathmandu valley. In such a daunting situation, how should +2 colleges survive?
It is a serious matter for the private ten-plus-two schools/colleges. A few selected, well established and reputed colleges, which can ensure a flow of students, can easily survive but the majority of ordinary colleges should encounter with a challenging circumstance due to a shortage of students. So, we are preparing such a plan that is likely to ensure the proportionate distribution of students to all private colleges. Our efforts to limit quota of students as far as possible may give some relief to such colleges. Similarly, we are trying our best to avoid the unhealthy competition among colleges and will develop a systematic way student enrollment.
You have had long involvement in private sector education in Nepal. In your experience, what things are to be considered while choosing a right college and right subject?
Students should be determined to join a suitable faculty and rewarding subject as a major which will eventually give them a very rewarding career. So, the college, which can fulfill students’ expectations, should be in the priority list of students. They should also consider the prime location, affordable fee structure, excellent academic history etc. of the college that are the fundamentals of quality education. Similarly, they should choose the subject based on their aptitude and aim of life.
What suggestions would you like to give to the HISSAN Kathmandu member colleges?
We are going to organize a wide and combined discussion among HISSAN, PABSON and NPABSON officials regarding the demarcation of minimum fee structure and the limitation of quota of students. So, I suggest that all the concerned of above-mentioned organizations attend the upcoming discussion to figure out a solution to this prolonged conundrum.
