A large number of students, who receive low grades in the School Leaving Certificate examinations, are likely to be barred from enrolment in Grade XI.

A five-member task force formed by the Higher Secondary Education Board has proposed allowing only those students who secure at least ‘C+’ to study science.

A meeting of HSEB board chaired by the education minister tomorrow will take a final decision on the matter.

Similarly, a meeting of Curriculum Council under the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training held on February 15 had decided that SLC graduates must secure at least ‘C’ in English, mathematics and science to pursue technical and vocational education.

It proposed allowing only students securing ‘C’ in all subjects to study health programmes.

Thus, neither HSEB nor CTEVT will take students securing ‘D’ or lower grades. For the past few years, around 50 per cent of students have been scoring less than 32 per cent.

Of the 405,338 students, who appeared in the SLC examinations last year under the regular category, only 192,267 (47.43 per cent) had passed the exam. Most of students failed in English, mathematics and science.

Students securing 30 to 39 per cent get ‘D+’, while those scoring 20 to 29 per cent get ‘D’. Similarly, those securing less than 20 per cent get ‘E’ meaning ‘very insufficient’.

Chaitanya Sharma, vice-chairperson, HSEB, said the SLC board had the provision of chance exam for students scoring ‘D’, therefore students could score higher and enrol in Grade XI. “But as students with ‘D’ may not be eligible to study Grade XI, the government should provide such students an alternative,” said Sharma.

As per Education (eighth amendment) Bill, school education has been divided into two categories — basic ( early child education to Grade VIII) and secondary education (Grade IX to XII).

Suprabhat Bhandari, president, Guardian’s Association Nepal, said, “As the education bill has categorised Grade IX to XII as one level, there should not be any barrier for students to enroll in Grade XI.”

Educationist Vishnu Karki said the students of Grade X should be allowed to resume classes in Grade XI regardless of grades. “This is a transitional phase. Thus, the government need not take decisions in hurry and bar students with lower grades from pursuing higher education.”

Dr Hari Lamsal, spokesperson, Ministry of Education, said the CTEVT is likely to come up with programmes for such left out students.

“Determining a criteria for admission of students in Grade XI is a must before SLC result,” adding, “When the amended education act comes into effect, a new curriculum will be prepared for the secondary level and the evaluation system would also be revised.”

source: the himalayan times,14 june 2016