Kathmandu: Higher Secondary Education Board has decided to award the three per cent scholarship quota in all high schools to only SLC graduates from public schools.

They can apply at HSEB regional offices till July 16 with recommendation from their schools for the scholarship, which is reserved for girls, Dalits, indigenous groups and marginalised people in each plus two colleges. This is to promote public school education, said Devi Prasad Barakoti. However doubts loom large regarding fair distribution of scholarships as in the last few years the distribution was not based on merit but nepotism of HSEB officials. “We are on a mission to make it fair.” added Barakoti.

After selection, HSEB sends students to plus two schools with a letter of scholarship. They need to pay only registration and examination fees. The policy of promoting public schools sounds good, but SLC graduates in remote areas are deprived of opportunities as the regional application and qualifying test centres are not easily accessible.

source: The Himalayan Times