Ram Hari Silwal, the Principal of Himalaya College, has been involved in the Central HISSAN for more than a decade. Currently, he is also the Vice President of Central HISSAN. Mr. Silwal opines that HISSAN has played a pivotal role in branding and establishing plus two education in Nepal. College Readers has caught up with him for his short interview. Excerpts:
You have had a long experience of ten-plus-two education in Nepal. What challenges have you witnessed in this level?
The covid pandemic had hard-hit in both public and private colleges. The well-established colleges hardly coped with the challenge but less strong institutions in terms of finance and physical infrastructure could not sustain in the long run being on the verge of closure. In term of result, there was 99 % pass out ratio in the SEE, but it is presumed that the upcoming SEE results will witness below 50% of pass out ratio. If it is so, there will be an adverse impact on the sustainability of less strong institutions in the days to come.
Financial crisis is another serious challenge for a struggling college due to sporadic emergence of new variants of corona virus for two academic years thus resulting in shortage of students in small schools.
The charm in ten-plus-two college is dwindling following the conversion of HSEB into NEB due to the fluctuating government policy and mediocre syllabi. How do you analyze this academic emasculation?
NEB has attempted to introduce need-based curriculum and teaching pedagogy; however, it is only 25% of total curriculum that has been put into practice as a new evaluation system which is commendable. Still, we are looming over the shortage of skilled and trained teachers to deliver quality education and do proper evaluation. The teaching pedagogy has not been applied properly. If these things are applied properly, ten-plus-two education bring major breakthroughs in higher education in Nepal.
HISSAN doesn’t seem to withstand the uniformity of scholarship provision; as a result, the commitment that college makes for scholarship has remained in limbo. What do you think about making uniform scholarship distribution by the HISSAN member colleges?
Most ten-plus-two colleges offer a range of scholarships as a corporate and social responsibility, which is compulsory and similar. But additional and internal scholarship schemes may vary in different colleges. The additional scholarship schemes are determined by SEE results, entrance results, unit test and internal evaluation. Similarly, the scholarship given to the students of grade 11 is not assurance for grade 12. So, if any students cannot perform well, the scholarship given in grade 11 may be interrupted in grade12. However, the scholarship recommended by the NEB is applicable for both the grades.
Currently, NEB has given responsibility of conducting the exams of grade 11 by individual colleges, and only the board examinations of grade 12 are to be set by the NEB. Can each individual college maintain the academic standard? What is your view on this provision?
It is a commendable initiative of NEB that makes each college accountable for their teaching and learning activities. In this regard, an individual college should maintain standard and equality in preparing question, conducting exams, and evaluating their students. HISSAN is preparing a plan to conduct joint exams of all the member colleges.
What suggestion would you like to convey to the SEE graduate as the Principal of Himalayan College?
First of all, I would like to express my best wishes for their grand success. Moreover, I would like to suggest they choose a right college and appropriate subject based on their aptitude, financial status and life’s goal.
