Education System and Social Gap in Nepal

As Nepal is on verse of changing politically, socially and economically, is it the time now, when we should think and analyze if the education system of Nepal is partly responsible for increasing social gaps in the society? And should It be changed to compliment the efforts to decrease gap between poor and rich people?

The education system of Nepal can be broadly divided into Private schools run by individuals and Public Schools run by government. These two types of schools are totally different from one another on basis like how they are run, infrastructures, facilities etc. Among these differences, the distinguishing difference is the language of teaching and learning. Private schools use ‘English’ as medium where as Public schools use “Nepali” as medium of teaching and learning. When and how this system was established is merely an important question but the effects that the system is causing on individuals, and society cannot be neglected.

Let us take example of comparison between a public-school student who studied 10 years plus in Nepali language and a private school student who studied 10 years plus in English medium. Public school students are facing difficulty passing English subject likewise private school students are facing to pass Nepali. This can be understood by any layman. Though the chapters and concepts taught to these both schools might be similar but if books of public and private schools are exchanged, it can turn out to be surprising. Both sides will not be able to understand everything written. Private schools are using different books till Class 9. Including books in curriculum can have various hidden interests like commission from the press that prints these books, some teachers writing books (well not writing exactly, some might even copy the contents from foreign writers’ books). Some course books are even imported from India to be taught in Nepal. The question that must strike to all” Is Nepal incapable to create course contents and provide its own course books?” Definitely no. Both courses of private school and public schools converge in class 10 with obligation that each student at class 10 must appear government SLC (now SEE) board exams. If this can be done in class 10, then why cannot we make uniform courses and same books for all students in all levels?

Now about the medium or language to be taught. Why there cannot be uniformity about it in private and public schools? Why private schools cannot teach in Nepali and why public schools cannot teach in English? Is there a law that forbids? It can be an interesting debate on which language can be used “Nepali” or “English”. Both have their own pros and cons.

Some might debate that students must be taught in “Nepali” as it is our mother tongue, we should preserve it, etc. But in current context considering whole world as a village, is it feasible and wise? Let us take example of France, 5th most developed country in world, where most of the people study in public schools in French. Even private schools use French as medium to teach. It is possible but when the time comes where you need to connect to other world, indeed you need “English”. Though they are very near to United Kingdom geographically, French people do really suffer when they must speak English because they must learn only little bit of English during childhood. As English is international language, creating courses in English and teaching English from first day of joining schools for every kid can be very fruitful. Some people might have already been infuriated by this concept. But we are not talking about abandoning Nepali language. Without any doubt every school going children must learn Nepali too but as a single subject. Being able to read, write and speak Nepali is enough for all.

Now the funny part about the education system in Nepal Is that most 10+2 level colleges after class 10, bachelors colleges, master programs are based on English language. Suffering of public school students should be felt when they reach this level. When they must study in language in which they are not much comfortable, they have less understanding to the subject matter on top of that they develop an inferiority complex among the private schools’ students eventually feeling less competitive, out of focus from their goals. Many of these students quit before they pass their bachelors and those who cross these hurdles might face other hurdles like when going abroad for further studies, abroad conference, meeting foreigner, travelling to other countries. These are just few representative examples. There might be many others too. So how about changing the current education system and making “English” as medium of learning and teaching for both private and public schools. How about creating uniformity about courses and books taught in each level in both private and public school? How about streamlining courses to few useful subjects? How about focusing on the education system that gives rise to skill manpower rather than “Jack of all”?

But how these changes will help to decrease social difference between rich and poor? Let me propose few beneficial ideas that could be implemented if we can create uniformity between Public schools and private schools.

Book Sharing and reusing concept

Let’s consider the books that private school students buy each year paying thousands of rupees, using for one year and after that either selling in price of Rs 1 per kilo, or stuffing it in the boxes and letting it to rot or eaten by insects or rats. What a wastage! Normally a book lasts for more than 2-3 years if handled with proper care. And If a book comes with hard cover or a plastic-coated cover and if we can cultivate culture taking care of books in children then book will last of many years. The concept of recycling of paper is environment friendly but recycling, creating paper again and printing books again equivalents huge amount of cost. Thus, concept of reusing books is very effective. So how can this be implemented?

Refund for books:

Every year we hear news of Government not being able to supply education materials specially textbooks. To solve this problem, Government can create books refund policy to allure students to take care of books properly and give back certain amount of refund for each book returned. Government can create various recollection centers or use existing post office for these recollections task. Then these books can be distributed to public schools nearby or in rural villages. These can be done but this will involve hiring people, sorting and transportation costs and various other things. For poor country like Nepal, it might not be economically viable.

Public-Private School peering

Government should create a strict policy to be imposed upon private schools and public schools that the private schools must choose a public school as peer.

For students, each student of private school should have a peer(friend) of public school may be one level lower than him so that he could share his books, knowledge and experiences. Programs like student-exchange programs must be done between peer schools may be for two weeks to one month per year. These chances will help public school students to learn about lifestyles in city areas, develop various concepts. Whereas private school students’ visit to public school will help them understand various difficulties that a public-school student faces in school due to lack of infrastructures as in private schools. This can be an opportunity of exchanging culture, living styles, and a part of education. This will create a conscience of humanity among private school students. They will think twice before spending Rs 20 on smoking in consideration of his/her rural friend not being able to afford pencils and pens to study. This will slowly change the social gap and aware people.

Implementing this can be little bothering to money oriented private schools but this can be part of obligatory corporate social responsibility for private school. In addition to that Private schools can donate IT equipment’s, create various chemistry physics labs for public schools etc.

These concepts are attainable, sustainable and progressive to decrease social and economic gap between people. This might take time, may be many years, but can work effectively. So “Aile nagarey Kailey, hamiley nagarey kasley!!”